Hancock Shaker Village
A farming village where Shaker communities lived from 1783 to 1960. Its famous round stone barn and plain, functional furniture show a distinctive way of life.
The village preserves about 20 historic buildings. The most famous is the round stone barn from 1826. There are also residence halls, a school, workshops and gardens. Guides demonstrate woodworking, weaving and farm work, and the farm keeps cattle, sheep, chickens and ducks, which makes it good for families. Shakers were known for their simple, practical furniture design. The village is open from about mid-April to November, 10:00 to 17:00, with admission of about US$25. It is about 8 km west of Pittsfield.
Opening hours
Mid-Apr–Nov, about 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
- Tanglewood
- Berkshire Museum
- Arrowhead (Herman Melville's Home)
- Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum
- Shakespeare & Company
- The Mount, Edith Wharton's Home
- Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort