The Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts is celebrating its 50^th anniversary with a gala of events throughout the remainder of summer and fall.

The village is situated on a picturesque expanse of farm, field, and woodland in the Berkshires.

The fully restored Village includes 18 historic buildings, heirloom medicinal and vegetable gardens, 22,000 examples of Shaker furniture, crafts, tools, and clothes that depict daily life at the Shakers’ City of Peace through its 220 years, as well as heritage breed farm animals and spectacular hiking trails.

Here’s a selection of activities planned for the coming months…

There are daily tours, craft and cooking demonstrations, lectures and workshops, and a variety of activities for children and families, as well as a Museum Store and Shaker-inspired cuisine at the Village Harvest Café. The Discovery Room offers hands-on opportunities for kids of all ages to try their hand at chair seat weaving, working at a loom, trying on Shaker-style clothing, or milking a life-sized replica of a cow. An interactive audio tour (free with admission) is available in English, French, Italian, and German.

In celebrating its 50^th anniversary the village has added a number of major special events

including a festive Gala and family-friendly Charter Day, newly-designed tours titled “A Young Shaker’s Tour – For Kids Only!” and “Attic Access Tour,” woodworking workshops, and the “Return and Learn” series of lectures and workshops on a variety of Shaker-inspired topics, plus a book signing by author Ilyan Woo and a Limited Edition Shaker Button Box Signing by master artisan Steve Grasselli.

Here’s more information on a selection of the special events…

Hancock Shaker Village 50^th Anniversary Gala:

August 7, 5:00pm

Hancock Shaker Village presents its 50th Anniversary Gala. The celebration will honor the founders and friends who have been associated with the Village during its first 50 years, and will look to the living history museum’s future.

The evening kicks off with a preview of the exhibition Simple Gifts: Contemporary Artists Celebrate the Shaker Legacy in the Poultry House and Shaker-inspired performances by Shakespeare & Company’s founder, Tina Packer and the Cantilena Chamber Choir, with guest artist mezzo-soprano Deborah Rentz-Moore, in the Round Stone Barn. There will also be a Shaker-themed dinner catered by Savory Harvest Catering, followed by dancing to the music of The Brethren, a swing and jazz band featuring Jeff Link and Charlie Tokarz. Tickets range from $125 to $500 and may be purchased by calling Hancock Shaker Village at 413.443.0188 extension 115.

Charter Day:

August 21, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Charter Day will be a family-friendly celebration of Hancock Shaker Village’s official “birthday” as living history museum. This fun-filled day will include lawn games, wagon rides, Shaker story time, and musical concerts for children by Mister G. Charter Day will also feature the world premiere of Clara and Claire, a short play for young audiences written and directed by Juliane Hiam and conceived by Sharon Smullen on the occasion of Hancock Shaker Village’s 50th anniversary.

Two local 12-year-old actresses, Rebecca van der Meulen and Harper Glantz, will play girls from different places in time who have a magical, accidental meeting at Hancock Shaker Village.

Additional activities will include ongoing historical artifact and contemporary art exhibits, a community slideshow, and a display of the founding documents, as well as regular daily tours and demonstrations. On Charter Day, admission is half-price ($8.50 for adults and $4 for youth visitors aged 13 to 17) and free for members and children 12 and under.

A Young Shaker’s Tour – For Kids Only!

10:30am & 1:30pm Daily

July 19 – September 3

Rates: $10 for Non-HSV Members/ $8 Members. Children can now see the Village through the eyes of a Shaker child - how they lived and played to where they went to school. This kids-only tour conducted by our Senior Interpreter for Child and Family activities, includes a make-and-take craft, and visits to areas of the Village that show how Shaker children lived, including the Dwelling, Schoolhouse, and Barn Complex. Children will be returned to their parents with a framed photo of them in Shaker costume. For children 6 – 12 years of age.

Attic Access Tour:

July 31, August 14, September 18, and October 16
Rates: $27 for Non-HSV Members; $24 for Members
Presenters: Todd Burdick, Education Director, and Lesley Herzberg, Collections Manager
Ever want to go beyond those “Museum Staff Only” signs and see what’s behind closed doors? Sign up for this special tour and you’ll get to peek into the nooks and crannies of rarely seen areas, normally closed to the public, which feature unique Shaker architectural details and design styles well ahead of their time. The tour will also explore curatorial storage areas and view furniture and artifacts not on view to the general public. Tour runs approximately 90 minutes and includes upper floors and basements of three highlight buildings.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Participants must be able to negotiate multiple sets of stairs (up to six stories); proper footwear required.

Book Signing – Lectures – Workshops:

The celebration continues with a number of book readings and signings, along with special lectures and workshops throughout August and into the fall. There is something for all tastes and expectations at the village, and even if you can’t make one of the special events take some time out to visit and immerse yourself in Shaker life in the lovingly-cared for living museum.

For a complete list of events and more information check out the Hancock Shaker Village official web site at: www.hancockshakervillage.org

Hancock Shaker Village is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm daily for self-guided visits through October 31. Hancock Shaker Village members and children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Admission for adults is $17.00 and youth visitors aged 13 to 17 are $8. On Ten Dollar Tuesdays, admission for adults is $10.

Take some extra time and enjoy other attractions in the region by checking out our special Berkshires Vacation guide 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.

Joan Daniels
Staff Writer
New England Online Magazine

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