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The community eventually reached a size of 4,500 acres and a population of about 500. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) This gives an idea of the space they live in and somewhat freedom of the girls have.

On January 1, 1805, with eleven Shaker communities already established in New York and New England, three Shaker missionaries set out to find new converts among the pioneers then pouring into the western lands by way of Cumberland Gap and the Ohio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) To show the founding of the town

Once the Civil War began, the Pleasant Hill Shakers ran into controversy. The New England based religious organization had a policy pacifism and was also opposed to slavery. The individuals who made up the Pleasant Hill society mostly came from the region and had a variety of views on the war and slavery, though formally the organizational stances were adhered to. Pleasant Hill was sympathetic to the Union, but being located in the South, Pleasant Hill became the target of some intolerant neighbors and bands of extremists. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) To show their position to the Civil War

In the early 1830s the Shakers of Pleasant Hill constructed a water tower on a high plot of ground. A horse-drawn pump lifted water into the tower, and from there a system of pipes conveyed it to the kitchens, cellars, and wash houses. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) This shows that the Shakers were not like the Amish that they were mistaken for

In the wash houses, washing machines (also powered by horses) were built to reduce the enormous chore of laundering the community's clothes and linens. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) Also to show they were not like the Amish but to also show more of their technology.

The Shakers were nineteenth-century America's largest and best-known communal society. (http://www.shakervillageky.org/living_history_museum/shaker_history/) It shows that they were a fast growing and developing community.

A quest for simplicity and perfection is reflected in their fine designs and craftsmanship, and today the term Shaker-made is synonymous with excellence around the world. (http://www.shakervillageky.org/living_history_museum/shaker_history/) To reflect their lifestyle and way of life.

Although the population peaked at almost 500 in the 1820s, the community thrived well past the mid-nineteenth century. () This fact shows that during the production, they were not reflecting the height of the Shakers but more of the slow downfall.

The Pleasant Hill Shakers were hardworking farmers, first or second generation descendants of pioneers who settled the early 1800s Kentucky River frontier. (http://www.shakervillageky.org/i/downloads/pleasant_hill_shakers.pdf) This gives everyone an idea of the type of people that lived and worked there.


The brethren made brooms, coopers ware, weaving implements, shoes, tanned skins and raised livestock. The sisters produced woolen goods, pressed cheese, sweetmeats (preserves). Together, they produced medicinal products and packaged seeds. (http://www.shakervillageky.org/i/downloads/pleasant_hill_shakers.pdf) Shows what kind of chores the people were doing.