Searching for Sister Mary
Exhibit Grand Opening | Special Tours & Programs | Book Signing
Exhibit Grand Opening
Friday, March 24 | 6:00 p.m - 7:30 p.m.
Sister Mary Settles passed away 100 years ago as the last Shaker at Pleasant Hill. In the century since her passing, most people have come to identify Sister Mary only as this society's last member, but who was she really?
Join us for the grand opening of the special exhibit, Searching for Sister Mary, and explore the life of Mary Settles as a Shaker, a mother, a teacher, a leader, a celebrity and a modern woman. We will be joined by Shaker scholars Dr. Carol Medlicott and Christian Goodwillie, who will be signing copies of their new book, This Chosen Pleasant Hill: Shakers of the Kentucky Bluegrass, now available for purchase.
- "Searching for Sister Mary" is located on the 2nd floor of the Centre Family Dwelling, with access available by stairs.
- Appetizers and beverages are included. Cash bar available.
- Call 859.734.5411 or email [email protected] for more information.
Special Tours & Lecture
Saturday, March 25
In celebration of the first full day of Searching for Sister Mary being open to the public, Shaker Village will be hosting a variety of special tours and programs, included with daily admission and in addition to our other Daily Adventures.
- 11:30 a.m. Exhibit Tour: Searching for Sister Mary
- 12:30 p.m. Exhibit Tour: Searching for Sister Mary
- 1:30 p.m. A Moveable Feast in Song & Story | Walking tour
- 3:00 p.m. Un-Pleasant Hill: Richard McNemar vs. John Whitbey | Lecture in the 1820 Meeting House
- 4:00 p.m. Exhibit Tour: Searching for Sister Mary
Program Details:
Exhibit Tour: Searching for Sister Mary: Join us in the 1824 Centre Family Dwelling for an exploration of the life and legacy of Sister Mary Settles. This 45-minute tour will take a deeper look into the story behind this renowned figure at Pleasant Hill, using features from our new exhibit to bring Mary's life into a new perspective.
A Moveable Feast in Song & Story: Authors Carol Medlicott and Christian Goodwillie will lead a walking tour through Pleasant Hill's Centre and East Families, drawing on their favorite stories and themes from their recently published book, This Chosen Pleasant Hill: Shakers of the Kentucky Bluegrass. Each stop will last roughly ten minutes, allowing for a story, song, and questions. Signed copies of This Chosen Pleasant Hill will be available for purchase. This tour will last approximately 90 minutes.
Un-Pleasant Hill: Richard McNemar vs. John Whitbey: Christian Goodwillie, author of Richard McNemar: Frontier Heretic and Shaker Apostle, will discuss Richard McNemar's pivotal role in managing the turmoil caused by the influence of Robert Owen's New Harmony, Indiana, community on Pleasant Hill in the late 1820s. The influence of John Whitbey, who eventually apostatized, was central to the tumult. Carol Medlicott will join Goodwillie at the end for a brief program of songs by McNemar and Whitbey, who each penned Shaker hymns of enduring value. Signed copies of Richard McNemar will be available for purchase.
- "Searching for Sister Mary" is located on the 2nd floor of the Centre Family Dwelling, with access available by stairs.
- Call 859.734.5411 or email [email protected] for more information.
