Lexingtonenjoy bourbon country

Peace-loving Shakers embraced a life of simplicity, equality and celibacy. In 1805, a group of Shakers came to the rolling meadows of central Kentucky where they established Pleasant Hill. The community thrived for more than 50 years on its 4,000 acres of farmland but declined after the 1860s. By 1961, they were nearly forgotten, their empty limestone buildings disintegrating. A nonprofit organization came together to restore and preserve their heritage. Today visitors can dine on seed to table traditional Kentucky cooking in the candlelit dining room or winter kitchen, explore the 40 miles of trails on the nature preserve, and shop for high quality handmade crafts. A visit can also include tours—with or without guides—of 14 restored Shaker buildings and village farms, music performances, craft and historic trade demonstrations and Shaker artifact exhibits as well as riverboat excursions in season.