Shaker Village in Kentucky: A haven of simplicity and peace

The term 'Shaker' might bring to mind either furniture (the 19th-century pieces much prized by antique collectors) or the song 'Tis a Gift to Be Simple.' Both were created by the Shakers, one of America's most intriguing religious communities.

Today there are just two Shakers left, both living in Maine. But a visit to Kentucky's Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill gives a window into the heyday of this communal society that flourished for many years — and provides a welcome respite from the busyness of today's world.

The Shakers began as an offshoot of the Quakers in 18th-century England. The splinter community called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing. Interestingly, both of these names — the Quakers and the Shakers — originally were derogatory terms given to them by outsiders, but which the groups later adopted as their own.

In 1773 their leader, Mother Ann Lee, led a group of believers to the New World. Though just nine in number, they were remarkably successful in planting the religious community in new soil, eventually establishing 21 villages from Maine to Kentucky. All followed a similar communal pattern, with members giving up their property once they had completed a novitiate period. They also promised to remain celibate for the rest of their lives. If a married couple joined, they had to agree to live as brother and sister, and any young people in the village, whether they were the children of members or orphans that the community took in, lived in dormitories.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is the largest historic site associated with this religious group. Located 25 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., it was founded in 1805. By 1823 it encompassed 4,500 acres and had nearly 500 members.

'It was a thriving community,' said Jim McKenzie, a guide at the site.

'Their standard of living was much higher than that of the surrounding area — in fact, they had running water before the White House did. Everyone was literate, because they wanted members to be able to read the Bible. It was a remarkably egalitarian community, too, with women and freed slaves sharing equally in decision-making. People rotated through the various jobs of the community every six weeks, ensuring that everyone shared in the burdens of labor.'

During an era when the average woman in Kentucky had two dresses, in Shaker Village the women each had 10. In 1840, the average life expectancy in the United States was 50, but in Shaker Village it was 70. A big reason was that the women were childless, so none of them died in childbirth and their infants didn't perish of disease. In addition, the villagers had abundant food, good hygiene practices and strong social support. They cared for their sick and elderly, which also helped them attract new members.

The Shakers, in Kentucky and elsewhere, were known for their business acumen. In the eastern villages, their well-made furniture fetched top prices. In Kentucky, Pleasant Hill residents earned most of their income by selling straw brooms, seed packets (the Shakers were the first to sell seeds in this way), medicines and tonics, jams and jellies, and agricultural products.

'I think it's somewhat confusing for our visitors, because Pleasant Hill is restored to its 1840 appearance and so they think the Shakers were like the Amish,' McKenzie said. 'But actually the Shakers had no problem with new technologies — in fact, they embraced them.'

It was technology, however, that led to the decline of the Shakers (that and the celibacy rule, which made it hard to attract new members). Their small cottage industries couldn't compete with the cheaply made products manufactured by the Industrial Revolution. As the national economy changed, the Shaker villages lost members. By 1910, Shaker Village in Kentucky was down to 10 members, who sold the property with the proviso they could stay there for the rest of their lives. The last sister died in 1923.

In the 1960s, a group of historians led the drive to buy the land and restore the buildings. Today Pleasant Hill has 3,000 acres and 34 original buildings. With its period architecture, fences made of stacked stones, and tranquil atmosphere, it's still a spiritual haven — a place of quiet and serenity.

Guests can visit just for the day or stay overnight in one of the historic buildings. They can take a cruise on the Dixie Belle Riverboat on the scenic Kentucky River, ride in a horse-drawn wagon and have a meal at the Trustee's Table, where some of the produce likely will have come from gardens just a few hundred feet away. They also can learn about beekeeping, take a hike on the property's woodland trails and even do yoga ('if the Shakers were around today, they'd offer yoga,' McKenzie said).

The diversified programming is part of an expansion of the village's original mission to preserve the history of the Shakers.

'Shaker Village isn't just about the past,' said Amy Bugg, director of marketing and sales. 'We want people to see this as a place of refreshment and renewal for contemporary people as well.'

One of the village's most evocative offerings is a presentation called '20,000 Hymns.' Held in the village's spare, sparsely furnished church, it's led by Carys Kunze, a staff member with a specialty in history and music. Her presentations describe the role music played in the Shaker villages and how each one had its own set of songs.

'All music was sung a cappella, with no harmonizing,' Kunze said. 'It was deliberately simple, with no divisions, just like the community was supposed to be. Their services didn't have a sermon and instead had dancing, singing and the sharing of testimonies.'

Sitting in the church, it's easy to feel a sense of kinship with the idealistic, peaceful Shakers. Visitors can learn something from their story, here in this peaceful village in the rolling hills of Kentucky.

IF YOU GO

Details: www.shakervillageky.org, (859) 734-5411.

Admission: $10 for adults; $5 for ages 6-12.