Behind the Scenes at the Museum
Five workshops in 2023
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill preserves more than 5,000 artifacts associated with the Pleasant Hill Shakers. Go behind the scenes with Shaker Village’s curator in this series of workshops to explore highlights from this unique collection.
Boxes
Saturday, February 4 | 2-3:30 p.m.
Oval boxes are one of the most iconic items associated with the Shakers. Learn about their manufacture at specific Shaker communities and view unique examples from the Pleasant Hill collection. The Pleasant Hill Shakers also produced a number of other types of wooden boxes for the community's use, which will be explored as part of this program.
Workshop Price:
Annual Passholder: $20
Non-Annual Passholder: $30
Rugs
Sunday, March 26 | 2-3:30 p.m.
Shaker Village has the world's largest collection of Kentucky Shaker rugs and carpeting. Learn about the Shaker sisters’ robust textile industry in the 19th century and the beautiful rugs they created using recycled and reused materials. Discover some of the challenges in caring for historic textiles and gain practical tips about textile preservation that can be applied to your own family heirlooms.
Workshop Price:
Annual Passholder: $20
Non-Annual Passholder: $30
Hymnals
Saturday, May 20 | 2-3:30 p.m.
Hymnody was a key part of Shaker life and musical composition was an approved outlet for members' creative expression. In all, the Shakers composed upwards of 10,000 songs. Explore original manuscript hymnals from the Pleasant Hill collection and learn about the Shakers' musical practices. Hear examples of lesser-known songs composed at Pleasant Hill performed by a Shaker Village Music Interpreter.
Workshop Price:
Annual Passholder: $20
Non-Annual Passholder: $30
Religion & Spirituality
Saturday, October 28 | 2-3:30 p.m.
Religious worship and spiritual practice was a central part of life for the Pleasant Hill Shakers. View items from the Shaker Village archival collection that relate to their spiritual beliefs and practices, including spiritual journals, theological tracts and membership records.
Workshop Price:
Annual Passholder: $20
Non-Annual Passholder: $30
Silk
Saturday, November 18 | 2-3:30 p.m.
Sericulture was an important part of the Pleasant Hill sisters' work and they produced beautiful silk fabrics in vibrant colors. Learn the basics of silk cultivation and view an assortment of garments and accessories that the Shakers produced from their silk.
Workshop Price:
Annual Passholder: $20
Non-Annual Passholder: $30
This program is for ages 16 and up. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. The program will feature a curated selection of artifacts from the Shaker Village collection that are not otherwise on display. Due to occupancy limits and space restraints in our collections storage facility, the program will be held in one of Shaker Village’s historic buildings. Food, drink, pens and bags will not be permitted in the program venue.
Program fee includes one complimentary admission to Shaker Village and one voucher for 20% off dining at the Trustees’ Table (excluding alcoholic beverages). Dining reservations recommended: call 859.734.5411. All tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Shaker Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. For additional questions please call 859.734.5411.
