HANCOCK - Hancock Shaker Village welcomed its first visitors of the 2020 season on Thursday with several safety precautions in place.
“We have timed ticketing, so people should reserve in advance. We have one-way paths. We have very clear directionals. We have hand sanitizer everywhere," said Director Jennifer Trainer Thompson.
All of the Village’s buildings are still closed to the public. Despite the restrictions, Trainer Thompson hopes visitors will have an enjoyable experience.
“Maybe that’s one of the silver linings is people will have the opportunity to really spend time around the animals," Trainer Thompson said. "They’re not going to be in the barn. They’re going to be actually outside and people will see them romping around.”
The main attraction in the spring is always their baby farm animals. Trainer Thompson says while they weren’t able to have their normal celebration in April…
There’s still plenty of new babies for the public to meet.
“Baby lambs from our Merino Sheep, which are the kind of sheep that the Shakers raised. We’ve got baby calves, we’ve got baby goats, and then our sow was really late, and she delivered yesterday," Trainer Thompson said.
This year is the 60th anniversary of the living museum and there is a special exhibition, called "Notes About Home," celebrating its history.
“It’s the last 60 years, and it’s anecdotes and photographs and stories and memorabilia and other materials that tells the story, and it’s quite an unusual story," Trainer Thompson said.
Hancock Shaker Village is open 10 AM to 3 PM, Thursday through Sunday, and they plan to fully open when Phase III of re-opening begins in July.