Largest Shaker structure in Kentucky reopening for tours

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (WTVQ) – With every change of season a new slate
of daily experiences and tours begin at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.

This winter, in addition to enjoying Shaker music, making brooms and sampling herbal teas, guests to the Village will be among the first visitors allowed inside the impressive 1824 Centre Family Dwelling, as work to preserve the historic structure comes to a close.

Constructed between 1824 and 1834, the Centre Family Dwelling was the largest
home built in the community of Pleasant Hill, housing as many as 80 Shakers at a
time.

Originally restored in the 1960s, current efforts to preserve the 21,000 square
foot limestone structure began in August 2017, and has included work on windows,
doors, masonry and roofing along with the addition of climate control and lighting
systems.

Since construction began, visitation to the building’s interior has been limited
to a small number of hard hat tours.

Although interior paint and plaster work will continue in the coming months, for the first time in over a year tours will be conducted throughout the building on a consistent, daily basis.

Professional interpretive staff lead each daily tour, presenting on historic preservation
and the history of the Shakers who built and lived in the Centre Family Dwelling.

On Friday and Saturday evenings through December 22, additional, candlelight tours of
the Centre Family Dwelling explore the Christmas beliefs of the Shakers.

Throughout 2019 exhibits and other experiences will be installed in each room of the
Centre Family Dwelling, including the display of hundreds of Shaker artifacts and
hands-on learning activities for guests of all ages.

To plan your visit to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, or to learn more, visitshakervillageky.org or call 800.734.5611.