Hancock Shaker Village

"A living history museum in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, Hancock Shaker Village brings the Shaker story to life and preserves it for future generations. Share your love of history, agriculture and design with your children or grandchildren as our costumed interpreters engage them in a variety of activities. The Village’s 750 acres provide a delightful outdoor classroom and lots of fresh air! The Discovery Barn in the 1910 Barn is our hands-on center where children can spin wool, construct a Shaker chair, or weave on a loom that’s sized just for them. Farm activities include watching baby chicks hatch or milking Mary Jane, a life-size replica of a Holstein cow. Try-on Shaker-style clothing! Discovery Room interpreters are happy to take a memorable portrait of you in your new garb. Learn to spell with letter boards, write with a quill pen, and receive instruction on how to behave like a good Shaker boy or girl in the Schoolhouse, where children can take a 19th-century school lesson from a costumed Shaker teacher. The farm and gardens are always a favorite place for families. Children delight in seeing all the animals and their babies. The Village keeps heritage breeds of sheep, cows, goats, chickens, turkeys and pigs."