Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Day 3: Shaker Village

On Wednesday, we toured Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Kentucky. This was the first of three interactive history stops we would make on our trip.

This historically-accurate restored town was inhabited by simple Shakers until 1910. Mistakenly compared to the conservative Amish due to their handmade garments, Shakers were actually a very progress-thinking community which used the most current technology of the times (including canning jars, commercial looms, sewing machines, and industrial ovens). We took a self-guided tour of the dwellings, and were able to participate in one of their spirited church services which dubbed them "Shaking Quakers" or Shakers.

Loved the interactive aspect of the town with it's weavers, spinners, farmers, etc.

This lady was quite a dynamic singer. She performed some of her favorite Shaker songs in the restored church which was full of visitors. I hadn't known that the song "Simple Gifts" was a Shaker song. And, yes. There were black Shakers. A few. She assured us.

This spiral staircase in the Deacon's house is an architectural wonder that climbs 4 stories high. And it has a twin that mirrors it across the hall. Gorgeous!

Shaker furniture is considered simple, but I fancy it for is's strong straight lines.

Shaker pegs lined the walls of every room of every building in town. How resourceful! And tidy!

You've probably heard of Shaker boxes...

We ended our visit on the Dixie Belle, a riverboat cruise through the limestone cliffs of the Kentucky River pallisades where we enjoyed the peaceful sights and sounds of hidden life.