Step back into time at one of these Shaker villages. by Kathy McCleary, HGTV Ideas magazine
Normal Hancock Shaker Village,
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
The third of the 19 Shaker communities established in the U.S., Hancock Village was home to Shakers from 1783 to 1960. Today it's an outdoor history museum that includes 20 original buildings (such as the 1826 Round Stone Barn), a working farm and gardens.
Hours: Open April 1 through November 30 and for nine days in February.
Address: PO Box 927, Pittsfield, MA 01202
Phone: 413-443-0188
Toll-free: 800-817-1137
Web site: www.hancockshakervillage.org
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill,
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
The largest of the restored Shaker communities, with 33 restored buildings and 2,800 acres of original land, the Pleasant Hill Shaker community was active from 1806 until 1910. The Pleasant Hill Shakers were responsible for many innovations, including Kentucky's first municipal water system. Events include live performances of Shaker music, craft demonstrations and even riverboat excursions. The Centre Family Dwelling houses an extensive collection of original Shaker furniture.
Hours: Open year-round.
Address: 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg, KY 40330
Toll-free: 800-734-5611
Web site: www.shakervillageky.org
Canterbury Shaker Village,
Canterbury, New Hampshire
This National Historic Landmark contains 25 original buildings, a botanical garden and the archeological remains of old mill and dam sites.
Hours: Open daily May through October; weekends in April, November and December.
Address: 288 Shaker Rd., Canterbury, NH 03224
Phone: 603-783-9511
Toll-free: 800-982-9511
Web site: www.shakers.org
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum and Library,
New Gloucester, Maine
Sabbathday Lake is home to the only active Shaker community in the world, with eight current members. The museum includes six of the 18 existing structures at Sabbathday Lake. The Shaker Library here was established in 1882; collections include musical recordings, furniture, woodenware, oval boxes, tin and metal wares, tools and technology, textiles and costumes and visual arts as well as medicinal and herbal products.
Hours: The library is open year-round, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (appointments are required). Open Memorial Day through Columbus Day, Monday through Saturday.
Address: United Society of Shakers, 707 Shaker Rd., New Gloucester, ME 04260
Phone: 207-926-4597
Web site: www.shaker.lib.me.us
The Shaker Museum at South Union,
South Union, Kentucky
The westernmost of all the Shaker communities. The 40-room Centre House, built in 1824, houses the museum's many Shaker artifacts, including oval boxes, baskets, wooden tools, trestle tables, chairs, benches and textiles. The Centre House itself is a classic example of Shaker style, with double room doors and staircases (men and women used separate entrances and stairs), multidrawer built-in cabinets and peg strips along the wall.
Hours: Open March 1 through December 1
Address: Shaker Museum, PO Box 30, South Union, KY 42283
Phone: 270-542-4167
Toll-free: 800-811-8379
Web site: www.logantele.com/~shakmus/toc.htm
