*as published in North Canton Living Magazine August 2023
Gobble gobble. I stopped on the bottom step of the water house and eyed the flamboyant turkey. He stood audaciously in my path quivering and bristling with full plumage. Sighing, I edged around him and made my way to the brethren’s bath house. He kindly escorted me to the next building and the next and so on. Well, you get the picture. Orville Redenbacher the turkey was infatuated despite his girlfriend living across town in the barn. I had a full day touring the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Kentucky with Orville. I would like to think that I let him down easily and we parted friends.
Pleasant Hill is Kentucky’s largest National Historic Landmark and home to 34 Shaker structures built from 1809 to 1875. During the 105 years they settled there the community at one time boasted more than 260 structures. Pleasant Hill today works to showcase the Shaker craftsmanship, history, architecture, and spirituality. The village is a fascinating step back into a time of our history. The buildings and museums each display the iconic Shaker ingenuity and skill.
I found the broom-making displays most interesting. Shakers used their skill broom making as a primary source of income with salesmen traveling the country selling the Shaker broom. Their simple machines easily manufactured the flat broom Shaker design that we are familiar with today. The brooms were made from corn and sewn with hemp. You can find a broom in every kitchen today that can be traced back to the traditional Shaker design.
Only a few weeks later I found myself on a spontaneous trip to another living history museum of Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. This recreated 1830s town is the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast. The village depicts a rural New England village with more than 40 original buildings.
While there I spoke at length with costumed historians about the differences in metalworking; tin-pressed candle holders and the printing press’s effect on our language. Each historian was well-versed in their area of expertise and kindly entertained this curious soul’s countless questions.
While I visited and quite frankly took a few breaks while walking the immense property, children chased chickens and played with the cleverly placed period games. I tried to play a curious game involving two sticks and a circle much to the amusement of the crowd. With great embarrassment, I handed over the set to a child who easily made it work.
Sauder Village is located in Northwest Ohio near Archbold. Sauder Village is Ohio’s largest history village and features life in Ohio from 1803 to 1928. The 235-acre complex includes a historical village, campground, Inn, and restaurant. Sauder Village is only an hour west of Toledo.
The largest US living history museum is Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. The historical area of Colonial Williamsburg includes 89 original 18th-century buildings. Historical interpreters will help illuminate life during the American Revolution. When last I visited Colonial Williamsburg it was in the heat and humidity of July. I highly recommend that a visit s reserved for spring or even winter. I can only imagine how beautiful they decorate over the holidays.
For every area of interest, there is a living history museum. Interested in automobiles and transportation – visit Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. Curious about pilgrims – visit Plimoth Patuxet Museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Into Native American culture – visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Do a Google search on your area of interest and there will be a living history museum dedicated to it.
What I Learned
The Shaker spirituality included a belief in gender equality granting women and men equal say in their community.
The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill had one of the country’s first public water works that afforded clean drinking water in the 1830s.
Shakers imbibed and sold their liquor.
In the 1830s the term mercantile or dry goods was not used. It was just called the store.
All barrels are casks but not all casks are barrels. A barrel is a type and size of cask.
Englishmen had pennies. Americans had cents. Pun not intended.
Everyone looks good in candlelight.
Turkeys like me. In every living history museum I visited, they really, really liked me.
Before You Go
Purchase your tickets in advance. Especially if you want to visit Williamsburg. Many of the museums offer unique programs that require advance tickets and can be sold out months in advance. For example, Colonial Williamsburg’s Cry Witch program is sold out months in advance.
Wear good walking shoes. Use lots of sunscreen. Apply bug spray in the summer. Take water. Many of these museums are large and wide ranging so plan accordingly.
If you take your children, you will be torn between wanting to see the cabinetmaker you want to see and the farm animals the children want to pet. Be prepared to give in and just relax. You won’t see it all. Plan a visit to return in the future sans kids and enjoy then.
If you have AAA or AARP, there may be a discount for you. A teacher – ask about a discount. Military – there will be a discount Several of the experiences offer special discounts not only on admission but also at the gift shop.
Interested in dining on premises, make a reservation. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill had a delicious farm-to-table restaurant with unique offerings from the time period. Well worth the stop.
Stay on-site. Each of these experiences allowed you to stay on-site with unique bed-and-breakfast accommodations. This is a real opportunity to extend and enhance the learning experience.