Hear the real stories of some of the people who lived at South Union Shaker Village in the 19th century, told in first person, by candlelight, in the 1824 Centre House. This cooperative experience is made possible by the Fountain Square Players and the historic environment of South Union.

Reservations Required:  $15 adults | $5 children 6-12

This event is sold out.

sponsored by:

Join us for an autumn meal created from local sources, served in the rustic atmosphere of the 1875 Grain Barn.

Catered by River Cottage Farms.
Wine is provided by Carriage House Vineyards.

Reservations Required: $75

This event is sold out

menu:

1st course 

Fall salad with sprouts, basil crusted rabbit and a smoked tomato balsamic vinaigrette.

2nd course

Fall blossom honey, goat cheese and preserves on a wild fermented sourdough

3rd course 

Butternut squash soup with dried sage and candied apple slices

4th course

Applewood smoked Cornish hens , Creamed cauliflower and roasted fall veggies  with balsamic glaze 

5th course 

Meyer lemon tart with candied ginger ( local Meyer lemons )

Broom-making Demonstration

Saturday, August 3

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Join broom-maker Mike Hossom in South Union’s broom shop as he demonstrates one of South Union’s most time-honored traditions.  Free with admission.

African American History Tour

Friday, August 9

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Learn about the 19th century experience of the African American Shakers at South Union. Join Curator of Community Engagement, Rebekah Brummett.  Free with admission.  

Wash House Discovery Tour 

Thursday, August 15

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Join Executive Director Tommy Hines for a close-up look at the fascinating work going on the in 1854 Wash House.  Tour requires ability to traverse several flights of stairs. Free with admission.

Shaker Foodways Tour 

Thursday, August 29

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 

Take an up-close look at the kitchens and dining room in the 1824 Centre House and enjoy Shaker Mint Cup and a Shaker dessert with Curator of Collections Sally Givens.  Free with admission. 

TIME: 12:00 NOON

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

This event is sold out.

$22 members of South Union Shaker Village and Historic RailPark & Train Museum

$25 non-members

Meal catered by Cambridge Market.

In celebration of the South Union Hotel’s 150th anniversary, don’t miss this “historic” opportunity.  

South Union Station was one of many stops along the Memphis Branch of the L&N Railroad.  Besides making dry goods, livery, and blacksmithing services available to travelers, the stop also offered meals and accommodations at the famous South Union Hotel.  From 1869 until the early 1920s, customers enjoyed fine meals in the hotel dining room and now you can do the same.

Join us on Saturday, July 13th, at noon for an 1880s-style railroad luncheon, served at the South Union Hotel.  The price is $25 per person, or $22 if you are a member of the Historic Railpark & Train Museum in Bowling Green or South Union Shaker Village.  Participants also receive free access to the historic buildings in the Village and the opportunity to see a special exhibit, courtesy of the Historic Railpark & Train Museum.

• Broom-making Demonstration

Saturday, July 6

10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Join broom-maker Mike Hossom as he demonstrates one of South Union’s most time-honored traditions. Free with village admission.

• Shaker Architecture Tour

Thursday, July 11

10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m

Join Executive Director Tommy Hines in in-depth tour of the 1846 Ministry Shop, a behind-the-scenes look at one of South Union’s architectural jewels. Free with admission.

• Women’s History Tour

Wednesday, July 17

11:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

Explore the spaces occupied by Shaker sisters who lived, worked, and made an impact on South Union’s history.  Join Curator of Community Engagement, Rebekah Brummett. Free with village admission. 

• “Behind the Ropes” Tour

Friday, July 26

10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

Take an up-close look at some of the South Union vast collection on this “behind the ropes” tour with Curator of Collections Sally Givens. Free with village admission. 

[Show slideshow]

In cooperation with the Bowling Green League of Bicyclists (BGLOB), the South Union Shaker Village will host a bike ride through the beautiful countryside, much of what was originally the Shaker’s 6,000 acre farm. Special premiums and options for the day’s event will be offered upon registration.

REGISTER online through our shop >>

For more information about the ride and to view route maps visit: www.meetup.com.

There will be three marked routes of 10, 28, and 50 miles, all of which will start and end at the museum. Registration opens at 7 AM. There will be a ride leader/sweeper and SAGs (food stops) on each route. Each rider is required to wear a helmet and sign a waiver.

As a fundraiser for SUSV, we ask that you make a tax-deductible donation of $25 for non-BGLOB members and $15 for BGLOB members.  Any other donations are greatly appreciated by SUSV. Go to shop.

Commemorative T-shirts will be available for $15.  All proceeds will go to South Union Shaker Village. To order a T-shirt or register for the ride call SUSV at (270) 542-4167.

order t-shirts online>>

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

A springtime offering created from local sources, served by candlelight at the 1869 South Union Hotel, celebrating its 150th year. Catered by River Cottage Farms. Wine from Carriage House Vineyards.

1st course

Baby green salad with NY strip and jam eggs with a green chili vinaigrette

2nd course

Roasted carrot soup

3rd course

Roasted garlic chicken with red onion yogurt sauce and roasted veggies

4th course

Chocolate torte with lavender honey sauce

$75 | Reservations Required

• Broom-making Demonstration

Saturday, April 6

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Join broom-maker Mike Hossom as he demonstrates one of South Union’s most time-honored traditions. Free with village admission.

• Shaker Architecture Tour

Tuesday, April 16

2:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

Join Museum Director Tommy Hines in in-depth tour of the 1824 Centre House, a behind-the-scenes look at the amazing craftsmanship of the 19th century Shakers.  Free with admission.

• Women’s History Tour

Thursday, April 25

1:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m.

Explore the spaces occupied by Shaker sisters who lived, worked, and made an impact on South Union’s history.  Join Curator of Community Engagement, Rebekah Brummett. Free with village admission. 

• Wool Spinning Demonstration

Saturday, April 27

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Experience the art of spinning in South Union’s historic Centre House, with craftsperson Leah Craig. Free with village admission.

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Two events in one day, presented by Winterbirds, a progressive folk band combining traditional Appalachian sounds with Bluegrass, Newgrass and contemporary influences.

Winterbirds Perfomance

6pm–7:30pm at the South Union Hotel

Join us in the intimate setting of the South Union Hotel for an evening of Shaker music performed by Nick Rich and Winterbirds

Reservations suggested as space is limited: Admission is free >>

Rejoice! Roots of Shaker Musical Expression 

2pm – 3pm in the Centre House Meeting Room          

WORKSHOP: Participants will explore the Shakers’ unique musical heritage and learn how the Society’s culture and theology influenced their musical expression. The workshop will also feature live performances by Nick Rich and Winterbirds of 19th century Shaker hymns, including original compositions by African American Shaker, Sister Eunice Freehart, a formerly enslaved woman living at South Union prior to the Civil War. 

Two events in one day, presented by Winterbirds, a progressive folk band combining traditional Appalachian sounds with Bluegrass, Newgrass and contemporary influences.

Rejoice! Roots of Shaker Musical Expression 

2pm – 3pm in the Centre House Meeting Room          

WORKSHOP: Participants will explore the Shakers’ unique musical heritage and learn how the Society’s culture and theology influenced their musical expression. The workshop will also feature live performances by Nick Rich and Winterbirds of 19th century Shaker hymns, including original compositions by African American Shaker, Sister Eunice Freehart, a formerly enslaved woman living at South Union prior to the Civil War. 

Winterbirds Perfomance

Join us in the intimate setting of the South Union Hotel for an evening of Shaker music performed by Nick Rich and Winterbirds

6pm–7:30pm at the South Union Hotel

Reservations suggested as space is limited: admission is free

VIEW details online >>

• Broom-making Demonstration

Saturday, March 2

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Join broom-maker Mike Hossom as he demonstrates one of South Union’s most time-honored traditions. Free with village admission.

• Treasures of the South Union Collection

Tuesday, March 5

2:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

Join Museum Director Tommy Hines in an intimate look at some of South Union’s seldom seen pieces, including furniture, textiles, manuscripts, and other objects. Free with village admission.

• Instagram Tour

Wednesday, March 20

5:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.

Take a behind-the-scenes, after hours tour of South Union where you document your experience through photographs. Learn about the South Union Shakers while also capturing the Instagram-worthy shots of the village. Whether you’re using a smartphone or a DSLR camera, this tour is for everyone.  Join Curator of Collections, Sally Givens. Free with village admission.

• Women’s History Tour

Friday, March 22

4:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m.

Explore the spaces occupied by Shaker sisters who lived, worked, and made an impact on South Union’s history.  Join Curator of Community Engagement, Rebekah Brummett. Free with village admission.