 Christmas at Hancock Shaker Village
Sat., December 4, 1999
Hancock Shaker Village The Shakers were known for many things, including their dedication to hard work, their prized craftsmanship and piety. Perhaps less well known was their reputation for charity. When possible, they always provided for the needy, the brothers and sister often literally giving the shirts off their backs to those less fortunate. You can help to keep that tradition alive as Hancock Shaker Village celebrates Christmas. Hancock Shaker Village offers holiday a bargain; come and bring in canned goods, which will be donated to the Salvation Army as your "entry fee" and then enjoy Christmas the way the Shakers of the late 19th century did. Photographs and accounts of the day show that the Shakers celebrated Christmas by wearing special holiday costumes, gift giving, enjoying special holiday foods, making music and cr afting decorations (like baskets, woven chair seats, paper-ring chains and pinecone birdfeeders, rolled in lard and coated with seeds). The tradition lives on when families visit Hancock Shaker Village and enjoy the sleigh rides (weather permitting), visit animals like oxen, Merino sheep, short-horn cattle and prize-chickens in the 1826 Round Stone Barn. The whole family will enjoy complimentary mulled cider and cookies in the festively festooned 1830 Brick Dwelling, which features the kitchen utensils, considered "state of the art" in the 19th century. Most of the buildings are decorated in a special way and all are open for people to explore. One of the most compelling aspects of a visit to Hancock Shaker Village is in the emphasis on "hands on" participation. Kids will enjoy being involved in authentic old-time craft activities like the making of decorations described above, as well as working spinning wheels and looms, mastering the tricky art of using a quill and being photographed in Shaker clothing. In past years, there has been a great turnout for the caroling and entertainment provided by fine entertainers like Wintergreen and the droll comedic stylings of Roger the Jester. According to Sally Morse Majewski, many parents find their children to be moved at the simple, yet heartfelt holiday celebrations, intertwined as they are in acts of charity and kindness.
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