Sometimes you need to visit the past to face the present. My wife and I love doing location-scouting daytrips for future films. They give us an opportunity to be together while exploring our adopted region. For the last several years we’ve turned our late October outing into a three-day Getaway. This year it was in nearby Kentucky. We began at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, among some of God’s most magnificent creatures; and then went on to our 200-year-old accommodations at the historic Shaker Village near Kentucky’s birthplace. Our three-day weekend getaway was all we’d hope for–and something more (see further thoughts after the photos we took).
Click on any image to enlarge it, or to start slide show.
The Shakers’ getaway came when they separated from the Quakers in England and came to America in the late 18th century. Believing they were called to build heaven-on-earth, they strove to live out their ideals in Kentucky, among other places. Some of those ideals were noble and progressive—equal rights for women and minorities, classless society. Others were quirky and unsustainable—celibacy, a lack of distinction between spirituality and unchecked “spiritualism.”
Our Shaker Village guides were wonderful: From Holly, our historian-storyteller (and retired Methodist minister), to Ryan, a deep-voiced Shaker musicologist whose singing brought tears to our eyes.
Throughout the weekend, we steeped ourselves in 19th century Shaker life; even our room was furnished in simple-but-beautiful Shaker furniture. We learned and, in a sense, experienced the rise and fall of something appealing, yet destined to fail.
In our quiet escape to the past, we pondered the noisy present–the raging fears, and hopes and dreams of this mad, unpredictable year–and somehow, in our visit to the past, found renewed strength…
To face the present.
*The photos are mostly from our Getaway, but some are from recent daytrips.
Mitch Teemley 
Our family met for a large Thanksgiving celebration in Shaker Village a few years ago. What a great place to visit. Looks like you had a fun getaway.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Looks lovely
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love horses 🐎
LikeLiked by 3 people
thanks! loved loved the horses..
LikeLiked by 3 people
I want to go there. Do you think they’d sell me the bridge? I love that bridge.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Sure. In fact, I’ll sell it to you, Andrew. What’s your bid?
LikeLiked by 1 person
$20 ? there’s an ATM just up the street, could get the money right now … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely!
LikeLiked by 3 people
You brought back many fond memories of our stays at Shaker Village, our visits to horse farms, my first teaching job near Danville, KY–all while Steve was in seminary at Asbury. Subsequent trips to the area with our children offered the extra pleasure of passing on family history. It’s time we went back!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wow! We really visited Reugg Country, didn’t we, Nancy?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photos are wonderful. New Hampshire has a Shaker Village as well, in Canterbury.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Liz. I’ve heard there are several other restored Shaker sites. A village in Maine is home to the final three surviving Shakers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’ve heard of the Maine village, but I can’t remember the name of it off the top of my head. What surprised me when I toured the Canterbury Shaker village was the number and range of products they made and sold.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pictures. Really looks quite lovely. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It really was. Thank you, Lori.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! We have a Shaker Village in my neck of the woods as well – Hancock Shaker Village. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve heard of it. Might visit when in that neck of the woods.
LikeLike
It looks amazing. Wonderful way to spend a weekend getaway.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It was, Carla.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Our Autumn Getaway – Maxinfo24
What a lovely trip! We visited the Kentucky Horse park with our kids years ago, and I still have fond memories.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What fantastic pictures! thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lilly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing this with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Al. Truly.
LikeLike
Yes, pondering the serene practicality of Shaker life at its best is a source of strength in this frenetic world.
If it is ever convenient to be in western Massachusetts, don’t miss the Hancock Shaker Village. The Round Barn there is an architectural wonder. As sometimes happens when a building is genuinely (not Bauhaus-pretentiously) functional, being inside this huge barn feels much like being inside a Gothic cathedral.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was there once many years ago. Impressive indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mitch,
Great stories and pictures. Many happy and memorable trips to you both. I hope you found some great places for film locations.
In Christ,
Gary
LikeLiked by 1 person
We did, Gary. Thanks!
LikeLike
Kentucky is beautiful. I was born and raised in Huntington, WV, on the Kentucky border. Trips to Lexington and Louisville were always delightful. I knew nothing of Shakers until we moved to New England. Of course the history here is wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is indeed, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this. It looks a wonderful, tranquil place. Would like to visit myself sometime. Blessings from Joy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Joy, you too!
LikeLike