How does Shaker Village inspire you? Five ways to show your support.

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Shaker Village is on a mission to inspire generations through discovery by sharing the legacies of the Kentucky Shakers. But, what does that mean really? We are a village at work, of great work. Storytellers educate children and adults. Farmers and chefs build healthy foodscapes. Naturalists restore rare habitats. Craftsmen preserve irreplaceable architecture. Archivists care for priceless collections. And SO much more.

Has our work inspired you? We hope so! If not, give us a chance and we will make you proud. We rely on people like you to keep this place going, to continue to make great things happen here.

We asked some of our donors why you should support us:

“Shaker Village is a jewel right here in Central Kentucky. It is up to us to carry it forward.” -Ms. Barbara Hulette, Danville, Ky.

“I live near Shaker Village and love the property. It’s wonderful that Shaker Village allows people to come hike, ride and learn the history of the Shakers. I want to help keep it going. I would love to see Shaker Village continue on for many generations to enjoy.” -Dr. Leigh DeLair, Harrodsburg, Ky.

“I feel like a piece of my soul resides at Pleasant Hill.  I always want it to be there.” -Mr. James Spragens, Lebanon, Ky.

Help us keep it going. Tell your friends about Shaker Village. Like us on Facebook (we post cute pictures of baby animals)! Sign up for our email list. Visit the online shop. Take full advantage of all 3,000 acres and what they have to offer. Here are five easy ways to show your support now:

  1. Text INSPIRE to 501501 to donate $25. It’s quick and easy!
  2. Donate online.
  3. Visit us! Come see the real work that happens here. Attend a special event or workshop or just come for the day and enjoy the tours and sights. There’s plenty to keep you busy around here. Check out our calendar.
  4. Become an Annual Passholder. We’ll get your support and you’ll get free admission and other perks. Plus, we’ll get to see you more often!
  5. Learn more about our nonprofit mission and the legacies we strive to share. Check out our website or call Melissa in the development office to learn about giving options (859.734.1547).

Wendy K. Smith, Chief Development Officer

 

Fall Favorites

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Ok, so you’ve probably heard us say that every season at Shaker Village is our favorite. We’ve found it to be somewhat impossible to choose a favorite. BUT, there is something about fall at Shaker Village that gets us all excited. Of course, you’ll need to come and see for yourself, but here are some recommendations from our staff:

Kentucky knows how to do fall, and the best can be found here at Shaker Village!
Whitney Franklin, Director of Event Sales and Services

My favorite thing about fall around here is the trees! They are fabulous with all the colors.
Rosemary Helm, Warehouse Retail Coordinator

This is my first fall at Shaker Village, but I know program staff have been working hard on the Spirit Strolls that kick off Labor Day Weekend. We are all excited to share with guests stories relating to Shaker spirituality, while taking a lamp-lit, guided walk through the Village. As August winds down, I’m eager to see these lovely maple trees lining the turnpike blaze up in their autumn colors. Come share the happenings with us this season!
Bekah Roberts, Farm Program Specialist

My top recommendations for guests is hiking the Chinquapin Trail to see the transition from late summer to fall. The native grasses will be going dormant and changing from green to golden brown (especially Little Bluestem). The Indian grass in The Preserve is one of the later ones to seed out with a long golden seed head and is easily identifiable by that trait. The portion of trail that runs through the wooded area has lots of oaks and hickories, making it a great place to observe squirrels caching food for the winter and whitetail deer foraging for acorns, all while hearing the Shawnee Run Creek in the background. People should visit in the fall to see Shaker Village at its best. The landscape, buildings and overall ambiance of the area—in combination with sweatshirt weather—add up to a great weekend trip.
Ben Leffew, Preserve Manager

The Halloween event is at the top of my fall favorites. Just to see the kids and the adults all dressed up and coming down the turnpike is always fun. Everyone has such a great time Trick-or-Treating and strolling down the lane in such a laid back atmosphere.
Mary Drummer, Staff Accountant

Book a room and bring your hiking boots. Spend the day on the trails, then have a bourbon while you sit in an Adirondack chair by the fire.
Wendy Smith, Director of Development

My favorite things is the crisp air and wagon rides! There’s nothing like listening to the leaves crunch under the wagon wheels while enjoying the rich history at Shaker Village.
Gabriella Kreinbrook, Equine and Stable Assistant

The Fall Palisades Paddle is a must! Traveling down the quiet, peaceful Dix River at the height of the fall foliage restores the soul (and it’s good exercise too—but not too strenuous!)
Melissa Donahoo, Development Associate

This is a village at work, and great work happens here every day. Join our team!

A Shaker Village adventure is waiting for you! Make plans to visit this fall!

Recipe: Zucchini + Squash Pickles

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We have an abundance of patty-pan squash coming in from the garden this year, and we hear we aren’t the only ones. It seems to be a very productive year for garden veggies! Right now, our garden team is harvesting 30-40 pounds of summer squash every other day!

The abundance doesn’t stop there. Our butternut winter squashes have produced with equal vigor and have ripened earlier than expected. The beets are in, the garlic has been dug and sorted, and the tomatoes, basil, peppers, okra and eggplant harvests are ramping up! It doesn’t get much better than enjoying late summer crops from the garden.

That means The Trustees’ Table has to get creative with how fresh ingredients are getting prepared on a daily basis. Here’s one of our favorite ways to serve the fresh squash and zucchini:

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 qt. apple cider vinegar

1/2 qt. water

1 1/4 c. sugar

1 tbsp. red pepper flakes

1 tbsp. fennel seed

1 tbsp. mustard seeds

1 tbsp. dry mustard

1 bulb fennel, sliced and tops rough chopped

6 large zucchini, sliced into 1/8-thick rounds

1 onion, thinly sliced

1/4 c. Kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

Bring vinegar, water, sugar, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, dry mustard and mustard seeds to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar.

Toss zuchinni and salt in a large bowl and let stand until zucchini releases moisture, 30-35 minutes. Drain squash, add fennel and onion. Pour pickling liquid over vegetables to submerge and stir. Cover and chill at least 12 hours. Enjoy!

In the Shaker tradition, our farmers take pride in planting, tending and harvesting sustainably-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs, destined to end up on your plate at The Trustees’ Table.

J. Steven Brockman is the executive chef. A south central Nebraska native, he grew up surrounded by the corn and soybeans of his grandparents’ farm…

Dylan Kennedy is the farm manager. An avid mountain biker and traveler, he has farmed as far and wide as Foxhollow Farm in Oldham County (Kentucky) to New Orleans…

Maker Spotlight: Smoke & Spirits

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Smoke & Spirits is featured on this year’s Craft Fair postcard.

Business: Smoke & Spirits
Owners: Matt and Chrissy Rippetoe
Website: shopsmokeandspirits.com

Have you ever been a vendor at the Shaker Village Craft Fair?
No, we haven’t! But we were very excited to be accepted as vendors this year! The Shaker community is known worldwide for handmade craftsmanship of the highest quality and we view the Shaker Village Craft Fair as an excellent way to keep that spirit alive – we couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of it.

Where did your business name come from?
Our business name was inspired by a trip to a local cooperage. We were struck by the visuals of fire and smoke rising up as the interior of the white oak bourbon barrels were charred by the coopers, knowing that this process was a key part of transforming the spirits that the barrels would soon hold. Our name and every product we carry is inspired by Kentucky bourbon. It’s our way of paying homage to the incredible part it plays in the history and heritage of Kentucky.

Rustic Wood Coasters

What’s your favorite bourbon?
We both enjoy the sweeter finish of wheated bourbons and both of our favorites come from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Chrissy’s favorite is the sweet smoky finish of Eagle Rare.
Matt’s favorite is W.L. Weller, which for a long time was the best kept secret in Kentucky, but the secret is getting out and it’s becoming harder and harder to find.
What’s your favorite Kentucky pastime?
A day on the lake! Relaxing on Lake Cumberland, waterskiing, enjoying the scenery and watching the sun go down over the hills is paradise to us.
Where can people purchase your products?

Our products are carried in various shops around central Kentucky and at ShopSmokeAndSpirits.com.

 

Matt and Chrissy Rippetoe

Anything else you want to tell us about your business?
Smoke & Spirits began by accident. For our wedding in 2016, we wanted to give our groomsmen a Kentucky-themed gift. We acquired our first bourbon barrel staves and made bottle openers from them. What started as gifts for friends turned into orders here and there, and now it’s growing nearly too quick to keep up…but we love every minute of it.

Find Smoke & Spirits and more than 80 other vendors on August 5 + 6 at the Shaker Village Craft Fair!

A Modern View

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Shaker Modern: a new interpretive platform that sheds light on the enduring appeal of Shaker lessons and their influences on today’s communities, lifestyles and design.

There’s a new phrase buzzing around Shaker Village. Shaker Modern is a term being used to describe our new exhibit, but also to describe what’s going on around this 3,000-acre property. The Shaker legacy is extremely relevant today, and we want to share that with our guests. So… we painted the walls white, rearranged some of our favorite Shaker artifacts and brought a new spin to this long told story.

Shaker craftsmanship has long influenced notable Modernist artists and designers. Beginning in the mid-20th century, Shaker furniture and textiles became a source of great inspiration to sculptors, poets, composers, dancers, architects and designers seeking balance through utility and simplicity.

The thoughtful, yet pragmatic principles of the Shakers have influenced not only a signature design ethos, but a remarkable cultural heritage that feels more relevant today than ever before. Shaker Modern celebrates Shaker lessons in community, sustainability and ingenuity—lessons that continue to impact this site and improve our lives every day.

Where can I see Shaker Modern?

Shaker Modern is everywhere! The concept is reflected in our new seasonal menus, daily programs, special events, retail merchandise, preservation plans and throughout the everyday tasks of this Village@Work. Here are a few examples:

Carpenters’ Shop Welcome Center
Opening Soon This one-stop sales and information hub will greet guests with a new Shaker Modern aesthetic, along with new interpretive and retail experiences.

Shaker Modern Exhibit
This new exhibit explores modern concepts of spirituality, community, ingenuity, diversity and sustainability through Pleasant Hill Shaker artifacts and stories. This exhibit will be on view through 2018 and is housed in three buildings: East Family Brethren’s Shop, East Family Wash House and East Family Sisters’ Shop. Check out the exhibit tour on the daily schedule!

Shaker Village Mobile App
Coming Soon This engaging mobile application will feature interactive wayfinding and geolocation-based interpretation, augmented reality, itinerary planning and much more.

The Shaker Modern Exhibit is on view now. Plan your visit!