Alli Bramel, Collections Specialist
March 29th marks the 102nd anniversary of the passing of Sister Mary Settles, the last Shaker who lived at Pleasant Hill. A mother, educator, leader, and local celebrity, Sister Mary’s commitment to the Shaker faith and to the Pleasant Hill community remained a large part of her until her death.
Sister Mary Settles took on many different leadership roles during her time at Pleasant Hill, including serving as one of Pleasant Hill’s teachers. In 1874, her first class included all nineteen of the community’s school-aged girls. On a few occasions, when no male teacher was available, Sister Mary would teach the school-aged boys, as the classroom followed the Shakers’ practice of separating students based on gender.
Sister Mary would also take her students on outings outside of the classroom, such as recreational wagon rides and picnics. She would also serve as a theatrical director, coordinating several “entertainments” produced by the children she taught. Sister Mary’s students remembered her long she taught them.
Sister Mary retired from teaching in 1890. Although she retained her teaching certification for many years, even going to participate in the Harrodsburg teachers’ institute as part of the state of Kentucky’s requirement for teachers, it was deemed unnecessary to continue the school at Pleasant Hill due to there being fewer and fewer children to educate in Pleasant Hill’s population.
Sister Mary died peacefully on March 29, 1923 in Centre Family Dwelling and is buried in the cemetery at Pleasant Hill. Her legacy as an educator, leader, and well-known facet of Pleasant Hill remains true to this day.
“Sister Mary was a woman of remarkable character, and intellect. For a great many years she was at the head of the school in Shakertown, helping to shape its policies through her educational work. She loved young people and was very congenial with them.” – Harrodsburg Herald, March 30, 1923
