Shaker Village Symposium on American Religious History
Friday, June 26 – Saturday, June 27, 2026
Presenting Sponsor:
The symposium is generously sponsored by Stephen Gray and Lisa Gumm-Gray.
Sponsor:
This project is supported with funding from the Kentucky Historical Society. For more information, see history.ky.gov.
In conjunction with America’s 250th, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is hosting the inaugural Shaker Village Symposium on American Religious History. This two-day symposium convenes nationally recognized scholars to explore how religious belief has shaped American history, civic life, and ideas of freedom, equality and pluralism—from the founding era to the present. Scroll below to meet the presenters and to view the Saturday order of events.
Questions? Call 859.734.5411 or email [email protected] for more information. Shaker Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Meet the Nationally Recognized Scholars Joining the Symposium
Order of Events | Saturday, June 27
9:00-10:00 A.M. | 1842 West Family Wash House
Dr. Sally Promey, “America By Design”
9:00-10:00 A.M. | 1820 Meeting House
Dr. Doug Winiarski, “Shakerism & the Limits of Religious Freedom”
10:30-11:30 A.M. | 1842 West Family Wash House
Dr. Mark Valeri, “The Sacred Cause of 1776: Religion and the American Revolution”
10:30-11:30 A.M. | 1820 Meeting House
Dr. Stephen Marini, “Where Do Our Hymns Come From?" – Sacred Song in American Religious History”
1:30-2:30 P. M. | 1842 West Family Wash House
Dr. Tisa Wenger, “Spirits of Empire: Native Americans, the Revolution, and American Religion”
3:00-4:00 P.M. | 1820 Meeting House
Scholars’ Roundtable
5:00-6:00 P.M. | Meadow View Barn | Keynote Lecture
Dr. Leigh Schmidt, “A Secular Republic? Religion, Irreligion, and the Nation’s Founding”
