• About Us
    • Village Map
    • History + Restoration
    • Land Conservation
    • Collections + Archives
    • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Annual Pass
  • Event Calendar
  • Shop
  • Careers
  • COVID-19
  • Book Now
    • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

  • Explore
    • Village Map
    • The Historic Centre
    • The Farm
    • The Preserve
    • The River
    • The Stable
  • Stay
  • Dine
  • Gather
    • Meetings + Retreats
    • Weddings
    • Student Groups
    • Tour Groups
    • Coach Tours
    • Social Affairs
  • Visit
    • Hours + Rates
    • Daily Adventures
    • Annual Pass
  • Donate

Plan your field trip

Discover a Learning Laboratory for Classrooms of All Ages

Bring your students to Shaker Village for learning adventures throughout 3,000 acres of discovery! Shaker Village offers a variety of engaging programs for K-12 students. Explore the Kentucky Shakers’ history and way of life, discover crops on The Farm and wildlife in The Preserve, and participate in interactive sessions to build an exciting educational experience for your students. Each interdisciplinary program utilizes Shaker Village’s unique setting to support Kentucky academic standards.

Special admission, dining and room rates are available for all groups of 15 or more.
Advance group reservations are required to receive special pricing.
To book student groups contact us at sales@shakervillageky.org or 859.734.1558.

School Tours

$7 per student/parent/chaperone
Teachers are free
Living the Shaker Life:
Community + Culture at Pleasant Hill

Engage with the artifacts and buildings that the Shakers left behind to uncover the beliefs, practices and innovations necessary for their unique way of life. Learn what it would have been like to live a communal lifestyle. What was an average day like? How did the Shakers make a living? What did they eat? How was their community structured? Discover answers to these questions and more on this interactive school program.

Enriched Experiences (add-on options)

DSC_0164

Bountiful Farming: From Eggs to Marigolds

Visit The Farm to discover the value of “waste not, want not.”

Get your hands dirty, while exploring the cycles of a healthy food system through the life of an egg shell in the chicken coop, compost pile, greenhouse and garden.

Improve the land, and experience the day-to-day routines of a farmer.

$5 per student/parent/chaperone
Teachers are free

IMG_2430

Farm to Fiber

How did the Shakers make fabrics for blankets and clothing? How was this material different from what we use today? In this program, students will discover the transformative process by which wool can be turned into felt. Learn about the journey of wool from the field to refined fiber. Engage with reproduction objects that reveal the close connection between the society and the land. By the end of the program, students will have created their own unique felted soap to use at home.

Weather Plan: In case of poor weather another program may be substituted.

$5 per student/parent/chaperone
Teachers are free

brooms

Swept Away: Shaker Innovations

Discover the legacy of Shaker innovation by learning about one of the society’s most significant contributions—the flat broom.

Explore the social, agricultural and economic importance of the broom making industry to the community at Pleasant Hill by engaging with material ranging from raw broomcorn to finished brooms.

Throughout this experience, students will participate in a modified broom making process and create mini-brooms to take home.

$5 per student/parent/chaperone
Teachers are free

Other Ways To Discover

homeschool-days

Homeschool Days

The second Tuesday of each month, Shaker Village offers home educators and their families reduced $5 admission. Explore 3,000 acres of discovery throughout The Historic Centre, The Farm and The Preserve! And, be sure to visit our new educational exhibits to uncover what life was like in this communal society.

View Calendar
dixie-belle-small

The Riverboat

Enjoy a relaxing ride through high limestone cliffs and untouched natural beauty aboard Shaker Village’s 115-passenger riverboat. One-hour narrated cruises describe the historical importance of the river to the Shakers and pass under High Bridge, an engineering marvel built in 1877.

Additional fees and capacity restrictions apply.

community-outreach-small

Community Outreach

Let Shaker Village inform and inspire your organization through lessons in community, sustainability and ingenuity. With expertise in Shaker history, environmental education, land management, organic agriculture, preservation and conservation, our instructors are available to speak to your classroom, student assembly, youth group, community center, library or church. Tailored programs can be developed to meet your specific needs.

Program fees apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I bring my students to Shaker Village?
Field trips are available April-November, Tuesday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., with riverboat cruises available at 12 p.m. (based on availability, as well as weather and river conditions). Other accommodations can be made outside of this timeframe by contacting our team.

How much does it cost to bring students to Shaker Village?
Most school groups choose to do the basic tour ($7 per student/parent/chaperone) and one enriched activity ($5 per student/parent/chaperone) for a total cost of $12 per student/parent/chaperone. There is no charge for teachers. Activities such as the riverboat charters and dining incur additional costs. Please note that the pricing included in this school planner applies to grades K-12 only.

When do I need to book my field trip and how do I pay?
We require booking (with confirmed participant numbers) at least two weeks in advance of your trip. Schools should not bring payment the day of their field trip. Schools will be invoiced at minimum for their final booked numbers after their visit. Participants in addition to final booked numbers must be communicated to Shaker Village prior to your trip and may not be accommodated depending on group size. Approved additions will be added to the final invoice. Chaperones should make payment with your school, and Shaker Village will receive one payment after your field trip from your school.

Can our group eat at Shaker Village?
Schools may bring their own lunches or order box lunches from Shaker Village. Student groups are welcome to picnic in designated lawn areas; however, we are unable to guarantee a sheltered location in the case of inclement weather. Please plan to have students eat on their busses in the case of inclement weather. Your group may also enjoy the unique experience of dining at The Trustees’ Table.

Can our group ride on the riverboat?
School groups are invited to discover the Kentucky River Palisades. Learn about the natural history of this unique region and how the Shakers utilized the river for their industry and trade. If riding the riverboat, students may take their lunches to eat on the boat. Boat charters are available May-October at 12 p.m. Additional fees and capacity restrictions apply.

What should our group wear to Shaker Village?
Students and adults should anticipate lots of walking during their field trips. All participants should wear close-toed shoes and clothing appropriate for the anticipated weather on the day of their field trip.

What will a field trip at Shaker Village look like?
A typical field trip experience at Shaker Village will generally adhere to the following schedule:

9:30AM, Standard Arrival Time
9:30AM–10AM, Greetings, Restrooms, Introductions
10AM–10:45AM, Basic Tour ($7 per student/parent/chaperone)
10:45AM–11:30AM, Enriched Experience ($5 per student/parent/chaperone)
11:30AM-12PM, Restrooms and Travel to Shaker Landing for Riverboat Ride
12PM–1PM, Riverboat Ride (charter fee)
1PM– 1:30PM, Depart Shaker Village

Accessibility Statement

For more information, call event sales and services at 859.734.1558 or email sales@shakervillageky.org.

Sign up for our Newsletter

Stay up-to-date on the best Shaker Village news & events

Careers

We are committed to providing a respectful, safe and enjoyable place for employees to work. View the full application to join our team today

Apply Here

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

Daily Admission

Sunday – Saturday
10AM – 5PM
All Hours + Rates

Discovery Starts Here


Get Directions

Footer

Explore

  • The Historic Centre
  • The Farm
  • The Preserve
  • The River
  • The Stable

Stay

  • The Inn
  • Book Now

Dine

  • The Trustees’ Table

Gather

  • Meetings + Retreats
  • Weddings
  • Student Groups
  • Coach Tours
  • Tour Groups
  • Social Affairs

Plan

  • Hours + Rates
  • Daily Adventures
  • Event Calendar
  • Newsletter

Contact Us | Media Kit

© Copyright 2021 Shaker Village | Privacy Policy