This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: MONTFORT, BANTA, RIKER, DEMAREST, TERHUNE, etc Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/gBB.2ACI/3401.1.1.1 Message Board Post: I agree, it is a wonderful place, so peaceful and good for the soul. I have taken the carriage ride and eaten at the Trustees House and stayed in the East House twice...where my third great grandfather lived his last 25 years as a Shaker. He joined in March of 1806 with wife, three children...of whom the last is my lineage...all three children left in their early 20's. The food at the Trustees House is wonderful and I in particular something they call salsify. I had no idea it was a root they cooked up....it is terrific and I am a picky eater of the first order. I spent 4 days in Harrodsburg the end of last Sept at the Gathering of Dutch Cousins reunion and one full day in the Harrodsburg Historical Society. A great place for mid Kentucky researching. We also had a church service in Old Mud the last day of the reunion, which was a special treat. My cousin and I did talks on the Shakers and our connection to the society. From there, Diana and I went to Shakertown and spent the night at the East House, walked in the footsteps of Francis Montfort, our ancestor and wondered at the ability to shed the "world" as he and his wife, mother, mother and father in law did, as well as several uncles, aunts, and cousins. I think my last count there were 50 members of the Banta, Montfort, Verbryck, Voris, Bruners who are related and 6 who are my direct lines. Someone said it is my lot in life to educate on the Shakers.....I say it is not so much my lot, but pleasure to help others learn of this interesting sect. Thank you for the kind words and adding to other things to be seen at Shakertown. I am hoping to get down again, stay once more in Grandpa Francis home and learn more about his life. The funeral reenactment is said by Ms Curry, the director, to be the most well researched of their reenactments done at Shakertown. I have to agree, as I attended one last year and to follow the wagon with the casket to the cemetery was like attending the funeral of Grandpa Francis, the one who fascinates me the most. And if anyone goes there, do NOT miss the program of music in the Meeting House, if that doesn't stir the soul and send chills down you back, nothing will. Barbara