When visiting the Bluegrass Region of Central Kentucky, be sure to add Shaker Village to your itinerary. From 1805 to 1910, the peaceful community at Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg was once home to 600 Shakers. It was the largest Shaker Village in Kentucky. Today, it’s a great place to explore historic buildings, connect with nature, and learn about this interesting religious sect.
This area is also home to Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, which offers visitors the chance to taste the finest bourbons in historic distilleries and provides a journey through American history. From Lincoln’s birthplace to the battlefields of the Civil War to a stunning Shaker Village in Kentucky, there are many sites of historical and cultural significance. We recommend combining your distillery visits with excursions to nearby towns to explore Native American, pioneer, and Civil War history, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the rich history of this magnificent area.
After you’ve explored the largest Shaker Village in Kentucky, we invite you to stay at our historic Bed and Breakfast, which is in the heart of Kentucky’s scenic Bourbon and landmark region. Maple Hill Manor bed and breakfast is one of the best-preserved Antebellum-style homes in Kentucky. Experience Southern hospitality at its finest while you relax and reconnect in the Manor’s beautiful park-like setting. You will be pampered with lavish amenities, delicious breakfasts, and a homemade dessert each evening. Book your stay at our Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky today!
Explore a Shaker Village in Kentucky
Visiting a Shaker Village in Kentucky is an interesting and powerful place to explore. Unplug from the noise of modern life, immerse yourself in nature, history, and simple design principles. Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill is the largest restored Shaker Village in Kentucky, with 30 original 19th-century Shaker buildings. The sweeping landscape of over 3000 acres provides a calm, reflective atmosphere, the perfect antidote to our busy modern lives. The village boasts over 30 miles of trails for walking and enjoying the rolling hills of the Kentucky landscape.
At this living museum, you will gain a glimpse into this uniquely American religious and social movement. The Shaker communities emphasized simplicity, equality, and innovation. Their buildings feature a clean, minimalist aesthetic characterized by symmetry, functionality, and clean lines. As master craftsmen, the stone and brickwork in the village are immaculately preserved.
At a Shaker Village in Kentucky, learn about the beliefs in celibacy, communal living, pacifism, and gender equality, which were radical ideas at the time. Unsurprisingly, the Shaker movement declined due to its commitment to celibacy. Shakers were innovators responsible for developing the flat broom, clothespins, and early seed packaging. During your visit, enjoy a hands-on workshop featuring Shaker crafts, including weaving, candlemaking, and woodworking.
Check out these other historic sites in Kentucky:
- Visit My Old Kentucky Home in Bardstown. The Federal Hill Mansion, built in 1795, inspired the Stephen Foster song “My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night.”
- Explore Bardstown, nicknamed the Bourbon Capital of the World, known for its cobblestone streets and 18th-century architecture. There is also an immersive Civil War Museum and a Women’s Civil War Museum located here.
- While in Bardstown, stop in at the Old Talbott Tavern. One of the oldest western stagecoach stops, this historic tavern has hosted visitors such as Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Boone, and Jesse James.
- Speaking of our 16th President, drive an hour to his birthplace in Hodgenville. At the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, visit the symbolic cabin, the first memorial building, and learn more about early Lincoln history.
More Historic Sites Near our Kentucky Bed and Breakfast
Visiting a Shaker Village in Kentucky and historical sites is an excellent and educational part of a vacation, but when you’re in Kentucky, make sure that you also tour some of the best spots on the historic Bourbon Trail for a well-rounded getaway. Bardstown is known as the birthplace of bourbon, and our Kentucky bed and breakfast is only a quick, scenic drive from our favorite distilleries.
Head to these Historic Bardstown Distilleries:
- Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort is one hour by car from our Bed and Breakfast. Founded in 1774, it claims to be the oldest continuously operating distillery in the U.S. This National Historic Landmark was one of the few distilleries that remained in operation during Prohibition for “medicinal purposes.”
- Woodford Reserve Distillery, founded in 1812 in Versailles, is Kentucky’s oldest distilling site. It features historic limestone buildings on scenic grounds. By car, Woodford Reserve is one hour from the Manor.
- Less than a half-hour drive from Maple Hill, Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto was founded in 1953. Star Hill Farm, home to the distillery, is the only site with its own water source and watershed.
- The James B. Bean Distilling Co. has been crafting bourbon for eight generations. The visitor center offers historical exhibits and tours, and The Kitchen Table Restaurant serves recipes steeped in Beam family tradition. The Distilling Company is located in Clermont, a 45-minute drive from the Manor.
- Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center might be one of the youngest makers in Bardstown, but it’s a highly awarded brand. Here you can explore, learn, taste, and even bottle your own bourbon.
Please note: Most distilleries require advance reservations.
After exploring a Shaker Village in Kentucky, other historic sites, and distilleries for tastings and tours, retreat to the best Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky. Our seven guest rooms are luxurious, romantic, and have beautiful views of the rolling hills of Kentucky bluegrass. With beautiful common areas both inside and out, our historic B&B is the perfect place to relax. Whatever brings you to Kentucky, we can’t wait to welcome you with our Southern hospitality and gourmet breakfasts. Start planning your next getaway to Kentucky and reserve your room today!
