It’s April and spring time down on the farm at Hancock Shaker Village and this means the popular Baby Animals event is heralding the days of warmer weather.

Everybody loves cuddly creatures. Whether it’s a “still-shaky-on-its-legs” lamb, or soft-furry chicks – or even a few weeks old alligator can be… no, strike that last thought. Seriously, the Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm event has consistently proved one of the most popular attractions in the village’s calendar, and so mark your date to attend anytime from April 11 through May 3, 2009.

The event is a very exciting time at the Village, as it welcomes scores of newly arrived lambs, piglets, calves, goats, ducklings, and chicks. The animals represent livestock once kept at the Village by the Shakers, beginning in the 1700s and continuing into the 1960s.

The annual spring event allows visitors to meet and greet with these young residents, as well as participate in farm chores and craft activities, take guided tours of the Village, and learn more about Shaker life.

‘Baby Animals‘ is a prized destination for families, class trips, and self-guided exploration, including not just educational aspects, but entertainment, too.

Also new this year is the Greylock Children’s Garden, which welcomes children of all ages to help plant seeds that will grow into vegetables harvested and used in recipes at the Village Café. Each family that visits HSV during Baby Animals Month will receive a free packet of heirloom seeds and a starter kit, as well as a free pass to return to the Village for planting on June 13.

Families will have the opportunity to join in on a new Behind-the-Scenes Farm Tour in addition to regular visiting this year. Scheduled twice a day and available by appointment, the Behind-the-Scenes Farm Tour includes special access to the newborns, helping at feeding time, gift bags from the Village Store and a group photo to commemorate the visit. Reservations may be made for this special tour by calling 413.443.0188 x213.

Finally, a special exhibit of paintings entitled “All Creatures Gathered Here” will be open during Baby Animals Month. The artist is Susan Merrill, a Stockbridge resident, and her paintings are based on the heritage breeds of animals that she has visited at Hancock Shaker Village. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Village, and a sneak-preview reception is planned for April 3.

Hancock Shaker Village, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is situated on 750 acres of farm, field and woodland. The fully restored Village includes 20 buildings, 22,000 examples of Shaker furniture, crafts, tools and clothes, as well as heritage farm animals and spectacular gardens. Tours, craft and cooking demonstrations, lectures, and a variety of activities for children and families appropriate to every season are available, as well as a Cafe and Museum Store. Open year-round.

Hancock Shaker Village is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is supported in part by grants from The Massachusetts Cultural Council and Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, call (800) 817-1137 or go to www.hancockshakervillage.org

My thanks to Laura Wolf, Director of Marketing at the Hancock Shaker Village for providing the details on this event.

The Hancock Shaker Village is situated in the Berkshires region of Massachusetts and for suggestions and ideas on other destinations in the area check out our special Massachusetts vacation page here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

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