Two central buildings at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill are about to undergo significant restoration work. Kickoff for the $5.5 million project took place this weekend in Mercer County.
Small groups of visitors gathered Saturday to listen to tour guides in and outside Shaker Village’s meeting house and center family dwelling.
Village President Maynard Crossland admits it’s a fine line to walk between needed improvements and historic preservation, “We don’t want to do anything to these buildings that’s going to affect the architectural genius that has been put in here by the Shakers."
The work, including new roofs, restored windows and new environmental control systems is expected to take a year. Much of it is being paid for with a grant from the Lilly Endowment.
Pleasant Hill was home to the Shaker religious community from 1805 to 1910. Crossland says the two buildings undergoing restoration were considered the spiritual center of Shakertown.
The Shaker Village CEO says it’s the beginning of what’s hoped to be ongoing restoration to help broaden support for the historically-preserved Shakertown community. “Our number one goal here is to protect these buildings, get them in as great of order as we can. But, we need to develop someone in the next generation to fall in love with this place and want to keep it for the next generation after them,” explained Crossland.
