First published in The Montauk Sun August issue 2018
Escape from Paradise with Ingrid Lemme-Chalut
to The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, in Kentucky
I had no idea of what to expect from Kentucky other then awesome fried chicken and bourbon, but what we experienced was so interesting and beautiful that we have to share with you our latest encounters! The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, named a top hidden travel destination by BBC News, is located within a half hour ride from LEX airport and was our first destination.
When we arrived at the compound, we immediately felt a sense of calm as the grounds are wide open, beautifully maintained and peaceful. Herein lay a landmark destination that shares 3,000 acres of discovery in the spirit of an unusual group of people that chose to live and work harmoniously in celibacy.
The Shaker community was established in 1807 and closed in 1922, and was the westernmost Shaker village in this state. With 34 original Shaker structures, most located along the mile-long gravel turnpike, the site is home to the country’s largest private collection of original 19th century buildings and is the largest National Historic Landmark in the state. The Pleasant Hill Shakers are recognized for their iconic architecture and skilled craftsmanship and built more than 260 structures on the property during a span of 105 years.
We were truly excited to be able to stay overnight in an original Shaker Building, the “Trustees Office”, which featured a famous pair of circular staircases that rise all the way up to the third floor. Our accommodations were located on the 2nd floor, spacious, bright, cheery, delightfully furnished with Shaker reproductions, original hardwood floors and beautiful country views. A serene retreat for taking breaks during the day and relax between discovery tours.
And there are plenty of self-guided, as well as docent-led ‘discovery tours’ and presentations of the grounds and gardens and the history of Pleasant Hill. We especially enjoyed the tour of the flourishing veggie and flower gardens with farm manager Dylan Kennedy. He is continuously developing a unique style of sustainable agriculture based on building up resilience through diversity into managed ecosystems. Bottom-line, most of the veggies grown here in his gardens eventually ended up on our plates and we got to enjoy some of them during a fantastic dinner at the Trustees Table restaurant.
Shared Appetizer: Fried Green Tomatoes, served with Miss Sue’s Red Pepper Jelly and Chipotle Buttermilk Dressing. Main courses: 1st dish, a finger licking Bourbon Peach BBQ Chicken, a semi-boneless half chicken, warm fingerling potato salad, southern green beans. 2nd dish, a fresh seared Idaho Trout, lemon brown butter, warm sorghum salad, garden vegetables.
All dishes came hot and nicely presented, and resulted in a taste bud explosion on our side.
Chef Amber’s cuisine, inspired by the history of this place, and the locally harvested produce that is available to her in season, draws in not just the history buffs, but also all lovers of cuisine and culture.
Amber Hokams is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Austin, and a Farm to Table wizard.
Are you curious to see (and hear) what it would have been like for the Shakers to sing together in the Meeting House?
We were, and joined a lecture by a passionate lady who gave a highly engaging and enthusiastic demonstration of the Shaker’s sounds of music and their way of life.
Her extraordinary presentation is not to be missed.
The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill provides a glimpse into this part of American history, as well as a lot of lovely scenery, rolling hills, horse farms, miles and miles of AMAZINGly constructed old stone walls.
There are also 3,000 acres of scenic countryside that includes a cruise on the Kentucky River, down the same waterway that connected the Shakers to trading posts as far south as New Orleans. The Kentucky River was a source of livelihood for the Pleasant Hill Shakers and regular trading expeditions. www.shakervillageky.org
The same landing used by the Shakers is now the launching point of the Dixie Belle, a huge paddle wheel flat bottomed tour boat. We were fortunate to see the palisades, scenic gorges and limestone outcroppings formed through millions of years, and flanking both sides on the yellow river, from this 115-passenger paddle wheeler. www.shakervillageky.org/the-river/
Featured: A river boat tour with the Dixie Belle - Providing an up-close view of one of the most unique ecosystems in the country, the geologically ancient Kentucky River Palisades, is the authentic 115-passenger Dixie Belle stern-wheeler.
The Shaker village is only minutes away from Kentucky’s oldest town, Harrodsburg.
As featured in The Montauk Sun August issue 2018
Ingrid Lemme-Chalut
Escape From Paradise, Blogger www.EscapeFromParadise.net
Award-winning TV Host, Publisher, Travel Writer www.MontaukSun.com
Ambassador for www.Seven-Stars.com & 15 Emmy awards www.aTasteofHistory.org
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