Hancock Shaker Village announced plans for the 29th annual Shaker Seminar, a five-day conference focused on various aspects of Shaker history, collecting, and research, July 20-25.
This year's seminar is centered at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Massachusetts and will give special focus to the Shaker communities of Harvard and Shirley. A full week of stimulating presentations, private tours, and programs by scholars, museum professionals, and academics combine with unique functions to offer a program that appeals to people with a variety of interests.
Behind-the-scenes and Private Tours
On Tuesday, July 22, Seminar participants will travel to the former Shaker site in Shirley, Massachusetts, which is now a State Correctional Facility, to view the original Shaker buildings that remain.
Following lunch, participants will be given a tour of the Harvard Meetinghouse, South Family Sister's Shop, and 1835 South Family Dwelling which are now private homes not open to the public. At the Fruitlands Museum on Wednesday, July 23, Curator Mike Volmar offers a glimpse at the museum's collection of Shaker manuscripts and Roben Cambell will provide a tour of Fruitlands' extensive collection of Shaker textiles.
Speakers
On Sunday evening July 20, Dorothy Andrews opens the seminar with Elijah Myrick's Herbarium, a lecture on Shaker herbalist Elijah Myrick and his book of herbs.
Monday's program include God's lovely Vineyard: An Intimate Look at the Harvard and Shirley Shakers, an historical overview of the Harvard and Shirley Shakers presented by Suzanne R. Thurman.
In her lecture Shaker Nurses and the American Botanico-medical Movement of the Early 19th Century, Martha Libster discusses the work of the Shaker nurse herbalists and their contribution to the expansion of the American botanical health care movement of the 1830s - 1850s. Robert Adam presents a detailed account of the dismantling and documentation of the Shirley Infirmary and Privy. Meredith Marcinkewicz provides introductory remarks and background for Tuesday's tour of the former Shirley site.
Following dinner on Tuesday, Mary Ann Haagen and Christian Goodwillie gave a presentation about and performance of the music of the Shaker community at Harvard.
David Newell begins the day on Thursday with Great Spiritual Wars and Sharp Testimonies: The Church at Ashfield, an examination of the social, economic and religious conditions in Ashfield, Massachusetts, that lead to the rise and spread of Shakerism in this and surrounding towns in 1779-1780. Starlyn D'Angelo presents Fragments of Ann Lee, an overview of objects in museum collections that are associated with founder of the Shaker movement.
On Friday David Fay and Roben Campbell present Comings and Goings at the Harvard Shaker Village, an examination of aspects of village life and the forces that transformed Shaker communities in the 19th century based on records of the Harvard Shaker Church. Jane Crosthwaite presents Clouds of Witnesses: Testimonies in the Sacred Texts of Mother's Work which discusses the visions received by the Shakers during the 1840s.
Meals and Evening Events
Seminar participants enjoy fun and fine dining, and evening activities. Planned meals and activities include: lunch at the historic Bull Run Restaurant (they say George Washington stopped by for a "cup of hot buttered rum"), preview of the "Discovery Sale" and behind-the-scenes tour of the Skinner gallery, dinner at The Fruitlands Museum with its spectacular valley view, dinner and tour of the breath-taking Noshoba Valley Winery in Bolton, and a picnic supper at The Fruitlands Museum followed by an outdoor concert by the Concord Band, a 70 piece symphonic band.
Registration
Pre-registration is required by June1 and can be made by contacting Hancock Shaker Village at (413) 443-0188 ext.221. A Variety of options are available:
Resident- $680 per person double occupancy - includes all offered meals, programs, admissions, events, seminar book, and lodging; Single Supplement - $250
Commuter - $410 - includes all offered meals, programs, admissions, events, seminar book.
Sunday only - $50 - includes dinner and evening talk, seminar book
Tuesday - $95 - includes all programs, lunch, and seminar book
Single Day - $125 - includes all offered programs, meals, and seminar book
Lodging is at the Best Western Royal Plaza in Fitchburg, Massachusetts located just 10 miles from the Fruitlands Museum.
For a complete Shaker Seminar schedule, contact the Village or go to www.hancockshakervillage.org and click on the Shaker Seminar icon after May 12.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
click for more
