On our way down to Portland this week, we managed to get left from the house in time for a side detour...which is a miracle in and of itself!
I discovered recently that there's a Shaker Village...called 'Shaker Village'...in the town of New Gloucester near Auburn. We already stop off in Auburn on our way south, so we scooted over to see what we might find...
I had heard that they had one of the historical round barns that I was especially interested in. Sadly, they didn't have that...but they did have this gorgeous big barn with about 50 various breeds of sheep...his favorite being the Romneys that are popular up here. They provide a good wool and are rather hearty with minimal feet problems.
By the way, I just learned this from Carla Emery's Country Living tome I checked out of the library...did you know that sheep actually have long tails? And these tails can get rather fat and large as the sheep grows? So now I see what "Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep...leaving their tails behind them" is all about. I always thought this was just more nursery rhyme silliness. Silly me!
This 'Shaker Village' doesn't officially open until Memorial Day, but when he heard that we were from St. Albans...and that our neighbors raise Scottish Highlander cattle...and that their bull, Atta Boy, is REALLY big...he suddenly said, "BIG! I'll show you BIG!" and took us down to introduce us to his BIG Scottish Higlander bull, too! I'm finding that St. Albans is developing a reputation as Scottish Highlander breeders. Small world.
Also turns out that this little enclave of Shakers are the only remaining Shakers in the world! And wouldn't guess they'd be right here in Maine..???!! Perfect!
They have some lovely historical residences and buildings dating back to the 1700's and the village is absolutely lovely! I tried to take more photos, but the batteries died on me! boo! They're also opening for Maine Free Farm Day from noon to 4 p.m. if you'd like to visit them and tour the sites for free. It's a beautiful drive and an enjoyable find!
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