SHAKER MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SPONSORS TALK AND WALK TOURS

AT NEW LEBANON SITE

PRESS RELEASE

The Shaker Museum and Library is hosting a monthly series of “Talk and Walk” lecture tours designed to give people a peek into Shaker life and several “Hidden Treasures” of Mount Lebanon Shaker Village, where the Museum will eventually relocate.

The first Talk and Walk Tour is July 25 at 10 a.m., on the grounds of the Darrow School. “Hidden Treasures of Mount Lebanon: The Meetinghouse” will explore the 1824 Meetinghouse at Mount Lebanon. Now used as the library of the Darrow School, the Meetinghouse was designated one of New York State’s 12 most important examples of vernacular architecture and is perhaps the single most important building in Shaker history. Its ingenious design offers a huge worship space unencumbered by supporting posts, to accommodate the Shaker’s ritual dances and a multitude of visitors. The lecture and tour will explore little seen parts of the building.

On August 22, “Hidden Treasures of Mount Lebanon: The Shaker Water Works” will take visitors on a tour of the Mount Lebanon Shakers’ intricate system of underground water works, used to supply their fields and business enterprises with water and power. The water works are of such interest that this summer the National Park Service is undertaking a project at the site to document the extensive system of the Village’s North Family through drawings and photography.

On Sept. 19, the program is “Hidden Treasures of Mount Lebanon: Significant Stone.” On the mountain high atop the Lebanon Valley where the Shakers once lived, you can’t throw a stone without hitting a rock, and some stones mean more than others. This hike around Mount Lebanon Shaker Village will explore the Shakers' use of stone to create their “heaven on earth” and the “standing stones” left by Native Americans.

The final Talk and Walk tour will be held Oct. 17. “Hidden Treasures of Mount Lebanon: The Cemeteries” will explore the Shakers’ particular beliefs and ceremonies associated with death and burial, including a visit to some of the remaining Shaker cemeteries and monuments.

All Talk and Walk lecture tours are held at 10 a.m. at various venues at Mount Lebanon Shaker Village in New Lebanon, NY. Cost is $15 per tour; $10 for Museum members. The entire series of four lectures can be reserved for $50 per person ($30 for Museum members). Space is limited; call for reservations at (518) 794-9100 ext. 220, or contact Geoffrey Miller at miller@shakermuseumandlibrary.org. Website is shakermuseumandlibrary.org.