SHIRLEY — The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, more commonly known as the Shakers, had a community in Shirley for over 100 years. From 1793 – 1908 the group lived, worked, and worshiped in the southern part of Shirley on the property now owned by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections.
The Shirley Historical Society offers guided tours of the site on three autumn Sundays at 12:30 pm. This year, tours are scheduled for September 8th, October 13th, and October 27th.
Visitors meet inside a Shaker building for an introductory talk to hear the background of Shakers and the history of the Shirley property. With their guide and a corrections officer escort, visitors are led inside three of the Shaker-built structures and driven in a prison van to other notable areas of the site.
Reservations for this unique opportunity must be made and $20 per person paid in advance at the Shirley Historical Society. Contact Meredith at mail@shirleyhistory.org for more details.
-Shirley Historical Society Curator
