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Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

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Shaker Village holds more than 4,000 three dimensional objects and well over 5,000 library and archival items in its collection.

View Collection

Collections and Archives

The Collection at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill documents the long history of Pleasant Hill, both during and after the Shaker era. Buildings, furniture, textiles, tools, personal items, journals, correspondence and photos all reveal what life was once like at Pleasant Hill and provide great insights into how Shaker history is relevant to us today.

Shaker Village holds more than 4,000 3-dimensional objects and well over 5,000 library and archival items in The Collection. Several projects are ongoing to update its inventory and build a digital database.

Read more about the history of the Shakers and this village.

View the calendar to find upcoming Collections + Archives programming!

If you have questions about The Collection, please call 859.734.1549 or email us.

The Research Library & Archives

The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Research Library contains many valuable resources including microfilm, books, periodicals and photocopies of primary sources. Our Archives also contain journals, manuscripts, ephemera, and other documents relating to the Pleasant Hill Shakers and Shaker Village’s restoration history.

Access to the Research Library is currently limited due to COVID-19. Additional research assistance and remote access to resources may be available. Please contact us to discuss your project and research interests.

Research Services

The research of onsite researchers takes precedence; therefore, staff are unable to provide comprehensive research assistance for external inquiries. However, up to one hour of research time will be given to inquiries submitted using the General Research Inquiry Form.

Inquirers will be notified when their request has been received. Please allow two to three weeks for research inquiries to be reviewed and processed. All inquiries requiring more than one hour of research are subject to a pro-rated $25.00 per hour charge plus copy fees. Expedited research service may be requested for a fee of $35 in addition to the pro-rated $25 hourly rate plus any copy fees. Duplication requests are subject to standards fees.

POLICIES AND FORMS

Procedures and Regulations

Researcher Registration Form

Photography Policy

Duplication Services Request Form

Duplication and Use Fees

Permission to Publish Policy

Application for Permission to Publish

Frequently Asked Questions

What resources are available to the public?
The Collections and Archives Facility provides intentional researchers access to resources including journals, hymnals, ledgers, photographs, manuscripts, correspondence, microfilm and microfiche, books, periodicals and reference files. Rare books, special collections, archives, reference material, 3-dimensional objects and textiles are available to be consulted exclusively within the Research Library in agreement with handling and security policies. Researchers should be aware that portions of the collection have restricted or limited access due to the physical, legal or contractual condition of the materials.

Why do I need an appointment to access resources in the Research Library? I’m already onsite, why can’t I just drop in?
The Research Library supports the research of both primary and secondary sources by scholars, museum professionals, research fellows and staff, so making an appointment in advance is necessary to ensure staff and space will be available to facilitate guest research. By contacting us ahead of time to make an appointment, we can talk with you about your research, tell you if we have what you’re looking for and possibly identify related materials in the collections you might not have known about which may help with your project. 

It’s a library, why can’t I check items out?
The Research Library is not a public library, and many items are irreplaceable, regulated and non-circulating. Because we hold a single or unique copy some items which would be costly or impossible to repair or replace, it’s imperative that items from The Collection do not circulate so they can be properly preserved to ensure their accessibility for future generations of researchers.

I’m looking for information about my ancestor. Do you have a database I can search?
The internal database we use to keep track of the more than 2,220 Pleasant Hill Shakers appearing in records between 1805 and 1923 is not currently accessible to the public; however, individuals interested in researching ancestors associated with Pleasant Hill may arrange for an onsite visit to conduct research in person.

I can’t travel for an onsite visit. Can you still help me find what I’m looking for?
While staff are unable to provide comprehensive research assistance for external inquiries, research inquiries submitted using our General Research Inquiry Form will be given up to one hour of research time by our staff. All inquiries requiring more than one hour of research are subject to a pro-rated $25.00 per hour charge plus copy fees.

Is the collection available to search and view online?
We’re actively working to provide greater access to The Collection through several ongoing projects to inventory items, update records and build a digital database, but with more than 1,500 photographs, 3,000 book, periodical, audio, video and microfilm resources, 500 journals, hymnals, manuscripts, correspondence and pieces of ephemera, and an additional 4,000 3-dimensional objects, it’s a work in progress. Please check back.

Do you have finding aids for the collections?
Currently, there are not finding aids for the special collections material.

Are you adding to the collections?
Yes. We gladly encourage prospective donors to contact us.

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Recent Tweets

Our favorite farm dog is wrapping up his birthday month with a welcome blast of warm weather. Deacon has been raising money all month to help provide food and supplies for his #ShakerVillageKY farm friends. He still needs your help! l8r.it/ZX4Z pic.twitter.com/rBBqVQAHCw

Yesterday

As the snow melts away we are reopening the Preserve, Tours, The Inn & The Trustees' Table. Please be aware the trails are still wet & muddy. Help us be good stewards of the land by refraining from hiking/riding through wooded areas or trails along the Shawnee Run Creek. pic.twitter.com/HI4Gq2MLfJ

About 2 days ago

A birds eye view of #ShakerVillageKY. Come out for a delicious meal at The Trustees' Table guaranteed to warm you up. Check out the menu and make reservations here: shakervillageky.org/the-trust… 📸 dsmphotography_ #snowyscene #winter #snow pic.twitter.com/kad0DahnAF

About 3 days ago

In our blog on launching exhibits we explore how to tell a meaningful story. There are many steps involved like narrowing your focus, doing tons of research, selecting artifacts to display (like the image of the mill) & determining the flow of the exhibit. l8r.it/TFla pic.twitter.com/kyPdNxMPVg

About 4 days ago

Our view is starting to melt, but it's been nice & peaceful while it lasted. We hope you're safe & warm & we look forward to seeing you soon. The Trustees' Table restaurant & The Inn are open. Our tours, exhibits & Preserve trails remain closed until Monday.📸 Gunnar Kerht-Reese pic.twitter.com/vEW18jyAVK

About 5 days ago

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