The Big Chill

At Hancock Shaker Village

Winter on the farm was a season of preparation, a time for mending tools, patching harness, harvesting ice to preserve food during the summer months and tapping maples to make the syrup that sweetened food throughout the year.

Trees were cut and hauled over frozen ground, split and stacked to provide the wood for fires and cooking. It was a busy time of waiting as the world turned toward the fecundity of spring.

Hancock Shaker Village will celebrate those winter days of yore on February 17th and 18th, from 11AM to 4PM on both days, with The Big Chill. The Village will offer guests walking tours of the campus, ice harvesting talks and sculpting; maple tree tapping demonstrations; blacksmithing and woodworking demonstrations, and a chance to meet the farm’s animals.

There will also be some very 21st-century activities such as face painting, simple family crafts, live music, snacks and drinks by the fire.

Several of the historic buildings will be open to explore as well.

All event activities are included in general admission. Tickets can be pre-purchased here or bought at the gate. Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for members, with children 14 and younger admitted free.

Hancock Shaker Village is located at 1843 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201; 413-443-0188.