Hancock Shaker Village opens for the season on April 12, with a celebration of farm life, highlighted by its popular "Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm."
Hancock Shaker Village opens for the season on April 12, with a celebration of farm life, highlighted by its popular "Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm."
The event, which runs through May 4, allows visitors to see newborn lambs, piglets and goats, among other livestock, and to participate in farm chores, as well as try crafts like basket weaving.
Special tours daily at 1 p.m., and also at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekends, allow visitors access to the newborn animals, including the opportunity to hold and bottle feed them..
Cost for the tours are $28 per person ($25 for members), and includes general admission to the village for the day. Reservations are required. Visit www.hancockshakervillage.org, or call (413) 443-0188, ext. 100.
The Shakers kept livestock from the late 1700s, when they founded the Village, up through the 1960s.
Other related events include:
Pony rides
Party Time Ponies will return to Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Rides are $5 (plus general admission, if applicable).
Music
On April 19, hour-long performances by musician David Grover and his band take place at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Sheep shearing
Sheep Shearing Weekend is April 26 and 27. In addition to regular farm activities, the weekend will showcase the village's Merino sheep as they get rid of their winter coats. Special hands-on textile demonstrations and activities will be conducted by volunteers from three area spinning and weaving guilds.
For more information, call 800.817.1137 or visit www.hancockshakervillage.org.
An outdoor living-history museum, Hancock Shaker Village is situated on 750 acres, a few minutes from the city of Pittsfield. n
The village is open daily to visitors from April 12 through Nov. 2. Between April 12 and June 29, the village is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Beginning June 30, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission is free for village members and children 12 and under (accompanied by an adult). Adult admission is $18, and youth visitors aged 13 to 17 are $8. Field trip visits are $5 per student for self-guided tours and $8 per student for guided tours.
Hancock Shaker Village is located on Route 20 in Pittsfield.