Added Sparkle in a Traditional Shaker Holiday Setting

Added Sparkle in a Traditional Shaker Holiday Setting
Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Mass., is lit up for the holiday season. Photo by Hancock Shaker Village

There’s something about the simplicity of Shaker design and  traditions that seems perfectly in keeping with ideas of an old-fashioned holiday season.

Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Mass., is a museum, a working farm and the oldest Shaker village in New England. Ironically, perhaps, this year they are stepping away from the more muted Shaker traditions of days gone by and adding some sparkle and pizzazz.

But perhaps this is just the incentive we all need to travel to Pittsfield, Mass., to see the 19th-century  enclave, with its famous round barn.

In addition to the gloriously simple furniture and buildings, this holiday season there will “art light projections” throughout the festively festooned grounds.

Visitors can peek at the donkeys, sheep and other animals (most of which will be dozing off by the time the light show begins). There will also be a show of never-before-seen Shaker miniatures.

There will be an outdoor firepit, and adult cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

Hancock Holiday Nights runs Dec. 12 and 16 through 19, and Dec. 27 through 29. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children 6-18, and free for 5 and under. Advanced purchase of timed tickets is required.  (Tickets are not required for children ages 2 and younger.)  Entrance to the Village is ticketed in 15-minute increments between 5 and 8 p.m. Find out more at www.hancockshakervillage.org.

Latest News

P&Z approves Wake Robin; court case still pending
Wake Robin Inn is located on Sharon Road in Lakeville.
Photo by John Coston
The legal case, if approved by the court, would nullify a 2024 zoning regulation change that allows hotels in the RR1 zone via special permit application.

LAKEVILLE — At nearly 11 p.m. on Monday night, Oct. 20, Salisbury’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to approve, with conditions, Aradev LLC’s controversial application to redevelop the Wake Robin Inn.

The decision came more than 4 hours after the meeting began at 6:30 p.m., and more than a year since Aradev submitted its first application to expand the longstanding country inn. The approved plans call for a new 2,000-square-foot cabin, an event space, a sit-down restaurant and fast-casual counter, a spa, library, lounge, gym and seasonal pool.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amanda Cannon
Amanda Cannon
Amanda Cannon

SALISBURY — Amanda Cannon, age 100, passed away Oct. 15, 2025, at Noble Horizons. She was the wife of the late Jeremiah Cannon.

Amanda was born Aug. 20, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York the daughter of the late Karl and Ella Husslein.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at her home. She was the beloved wife of George R. DelPrete for 62 years.

Mrs. DelPrete was born in Burlington, Iowa, on May 31, 1941, daughter of the late George and Judy Meyers. She lived in California for a time and had been a Lakeville resident for the past 55 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti

SHARON — Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti, daughter of George and Mabel (Johnson) Wilbur, the first girl born into the Wilbur family in 65 years, passed away on Oct. 5, 2025, at Noble Horizons.

Shirley was born on Aug. 19, 1948 at Sharon Hospital.

Keep ReadingShow less