These frigid days of the first quarter are the best time to start planning your business retreat for the beautiful days to come of spring or fall here in the Bluegrass. Few Central Kentucky locations are sure to inspire the brainstorming process, along with providing a relaxing atmosphere to work through the everyday challenges of today's business environment, like Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
Located high above the gorge of the Kentucky River palisades in Mercer County, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, located 25 miles southwest of Lexington, was founded in 1805. The Village has regained some 3,000 of the original 4,000 acres after a non-profit educational corporation was formed in 1961 to restore the Village, with 34 buildings now carefully restored and the farmland preserved.
For retreat planning purposes, I would recommend a Sunday afternoon with a return home on Monday evening, or a Monday morning with a return on Tuesday afternoon. This will allow you a dinner opportunity at the Trustees' Office and additional days that week back in the office to follow up on the ideas developed during the retreat.
The industrious nature of the Shakers led to beautiful, simple furnishings, crafts and wonderful Village buildings all designed and constructed by members of the order. There are 81 rooms, suites or private cottages all fitted out with Shaker furniture reproductions; however, instead of a rope bed with a straw mattress, all of the beds now have Tempur-Pedic mattresses. Also, for overnight guests there is wireless Internet as well as satellite television and game rooms.
The meeting facilities vary in capacity from 15 to 80, and there are five areas. Meeting room fees are waived when there are 20 or more overnight guest rooms rented. The A/V offerings are your standard fare, though they do not have a PowerPoint projector ó but there are large pull-down screens in the meeting areas.
Although the West Lot Dwelling is about a mile from the main entrance, it has a very appealing setting away from the rest of the Village proper. Meeting Area A can seat anywhere from 32 to 80 depending on the configuration, while Meeting Area B, also in the West Lot Dwelling, can seat anywhere from 15 to 30, or it can be set-up for catered meals. There are two sitting areas on the main level with two guest rooms on the second floor. Nearby, the West Lot Wash House has additional rooms.
The alternative meeting site is the West Family Dwelling and Wash House, with similar meeting areas. The advantage of this is the more central location in the Village proper where there is closer proximity to additional guest rooms.
Now on to my favorite topic ó dining. The Trustees' Office Dining Room has recently made a comeback to its previous glory days. There is nothing on the menu that is less than superb, but the real test for me is Southern Fried Chicken, and I am pleased to report the "Pleasant Hill Fried Chicken is fried in an iron skillet