Shaker Discovery Tours
Take a deep dive into the Shaker world! Led by experienced Village staff, each tour focuses on a single subject–architecture, textiles, foodways or woodworking—that illuminates the Shaker experience and legacy. The featured topic changes weekly; see the complete schedule below.
Pre-registration required. Fee includes admission to the village for the day.
Architecture: Shaker buildings may look simple, but they represent a commitment to innovation, efficiency, and excellence. Explore the Village’s architectural landscape on this guided walk. The tour will focus on several signature buildings, including the Brick Dwelling, the Round Stone Barn, and the Laundry and Machine Shop.
Foodways: The Shakers grew and processed their own food, a major factor in their overall good health. This tour will focus on the Shaker diet and dining practices through the centuries with a tour of the gardens and barns and a close look at the Brick Dwelling, especially its extraordinary kitchen. The tour will also visit the Sisters’ Dairy.
Spirituality: Spiritual values permeated all areas of Shaker life, from worship, daily work, connections to the land and nature, relationships among the sexes, design, and more. Explore these values during explorations of the Meetinghouse (1786) and the Brick Dwelling (built in 1830), with a few brief stops along the way. The tour also includes a demonstration of Shaker music and dance (audience participation encouraged!)