“Although
our opportunities for doing good may be small, yet we must remember
it is not the great acts, but rather the little deeds of love that
are the truest and the purest.”
Sister
Mary Johnston from Pleasant Hill
Many
years ago, Joe and I had been here when our children were very little
but we wanted to come back and see this amazing community again. We
found this religion and community fascinating. Our son, Jason, his
wife Joni, and two of our grands – Zoe an Pyke lived near this
fascinating spot for a while, so we were lucky to be able to come
back and see this again with our loves. This is located 25 miles
southwest of Lexington, Kentucky in the bluegrass region of the
state. This is the largest historic landmark in Kentucky and has
over 3,000 acres. On our way, we drove by horse farm after horse
farm with the beautiful Kentucky fences surrounding these immense
plots of land. Driving down these curvy country roads was such a
joy. We made our way to Shakertown over gorgeous rolling hills and
past all these farms with beautiful barns and horses.
This
Shaker religious community was active from 1805 to 1910. The Shakers
were founded by Mother Ann Lee who was born on February 29, 1736 in
Manchester, England. She was a member of the Quaker Sect called the
Shaking Quakers and became the founder of the Shakers. She taught
equality for all men, women, and all races. She taught them God is
love and they believed in Christs Second Appearance. The Shakers
believed in being celibate, men living on one side of the house, and
women on the other, and believed in a community of good. They didn't
believe in marriage or sexual relations. They believed in a brother
sister relationship and in hard work. During church services, that
were held in their meeting house, the would sing and were eclectic
dancers. Mother Lee believed the shaking and trembling were caused by
sin being purged from the body and made them pure again. In the
community, the men sat on one side and the women on the other during
church services or meals. Many of the new members were brought in as
orphans which helped the community grow and they always got new
members in the winter when food was scarce. They always had a
bounty of food and were willing to share.
Walking
down the path to see the 34 original Shaker buildings that are still
standing, you get the feel for how these people lived simple and
uncomplicated lives. They lived in the Protestant faith and had a
strong faith in God. One simple belief they had was “Hands to
work, and hearts to God.” They all believed in hard work and it
showed by all they did and discovered during their work days. They
were way a head of their time by raising excellent livestock with the
advanced practice of selective breeding. They made a municipal
water system where the sisters could have pump and water right in
their kitchens. This was unheard of during this time. They made an
elevator to move the grain to the upper floors.
They
raised Saxony sheep for the wool which they spun into yarn to make
sweaters and blankets. They were skilled farmers and had plenty of
fine crops even when times were bad. They grew plenty of fruit to
make into dried fruit or preserves. They made flat brooms and
baskets to sell. They were known for their garden seed also and sold
plenty. While visiting we saw old time craftsmen and woman spinning,
making baskets, and making brooms. You can buy their wares at the
country store and is a great place to take time and look around at
all the interesting items they sell. We were able to buy a broom
and just love it. They were excellent craftsmen and knew how to
waste very little.
During
the Civil War, the Shakers fed thousands of soldiers who came to them
near starving. That depleted their resources greatly but they were
always willing to help those in need. The Shakers got into a bit of
trouble during that time as they would buy slaves and free them which
made some in the community angry and a mob attacked and destroyed
some of their facilities. Many Shakers left to join the Army during
this time even with the sect being neutral during the war. At one
time there were over 500 members in this community but by 1900, only
34 remained. The last survivor of the Shakers from Pleasant Hill
was Mary Settles who lived from 1836 to 1923.
I
love looking at the art and beauty of the rock wall that they built.
They put their heart and soul into this wall and the community to
make this a beautiful and most appealing place to visit. The work it
must have taken to build this wall with all the details.
I
have a lot of respect for their belief in God and their strong work
ethic. I love song in worship and love their creativeness and mastery
of their crafts. There is much to say about the simple way they
lived and simple furnishings. I love how they put pegs on the wall
to hang their chairs after they eat. There is much of their
religion I believe in and parts that is hard to understand. How
they could believe they could continue to grow without children to
carry on their religion. They are at peace now but there is
something to be learned from them.
If
you are ever in the Lexington area of Kentucky, this makes a great
day trip. You will not be disappointed. It is definitely worth
the money and trip. info@shakervillageky.org.
“Do
all your work as though you had a thousand years to live, and as you
would if you knew you must die tomorrow.” Mother Ann
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