Shaker Village Named Charter Member

HARRODSBURG, Ky. - Sept. 29, 2015 - PRLog -- Shaker Village, http://shakervillageky.org, has been selected as a founding member of Discovery Destinations, a collection of distinct, independent destination properties – each positioned as a first-class experience for the elite traveler seeking an incomparable experience. Discovery Consumer Products, the licensing arm of Discovery Communications, has collaborated with Scottford Hospitality to develop the unique brand that offers travelers Discovery-inspired vacations that encapsulate the spirit of adventure and the thrill of exploration. Shaker Village is located 30 miles east of Lexington in Kentucky’s oldest town, Harrodsburg, the first permanent settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Discovery Destinations debuts with four partner resorts, including Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, each offering engaging and enlightening activities that represent the brand DNA – adventure, exploration and curiosity.

Shaker Village was selected in part because of its ongoing brand realignment that promotes the 3,000-acre landmark destination as an active experience of exploration in the spirit of the Kentucky Shakers. Building on the successes of current programs and events, including Fresh Food Adventures Dining Series, Paddle + Yoga Weekends, Backyard Sustainability Workshops and Family Explorer Programs, Shaker Village will launch a number of new daily and special programs in 2016 designed to ignite curiosity and inspire discovery.

“Discovery Destinations offers travelers and fans alike new ways to discover the world first-hand, taking the picturesque scenes and exploration of Discovery’s on-air content to the next level through immersive experiences that entertain and inspire,” said Robert Marick, VP of Global Location Based Entertainment for Discovery Consumer Products. “Whether you seek an adventurous excursion or a guided tour rich in history, each partner resort asks guests to expect the unexpected as they experience aspects of Discovery that are authentic to their surroundings and local culture.”

Being a member of Discovery Destinations offers Shaker Village the opportunity to access partnerships the hotel and resort collection has with other organizations. For instance, Shaker Village will soon be home to one of five Tesla Destination Supercharger Stations in Kentucky. Beginning in October, two Superchargers will be located near the Trustees’ Office, providing an innovative service to its guests while fostering environmental awareness.

The affiliation with Discovery Communications, the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer, will significantly strengthen Shaker Village’s ability to care for its historic buildings and land, invest in learning and exploration, and establish a premier travel destination for the 21st century. The affiliation will grow Shaker Village’s market reach exponentially through the Discovery Destinations online hub at www.DiscoveryDestinations.com. In addition, the partnership includes contextual content integration, in program messaging, blog posts, message board promotions and ads across www.Discovery.com and affiliate sites and social media channels.

For more information about programming at Shaker Village, its Signature Events, weekend events and daily activities, as well as lodging and dining options, visit http://shakervillageky.org. To plan a visit to Harrodsburg, visit www.HarrodsburgKy.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Amy D. Bugg, Director of Marketing and Communications

ABugg@ShakerVillageKy.org, 800-734-5611 ext. 1570

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, http://shakervillageky.org

Karen Hackett, Executive Director

KHackett@HarrodsburgKy.com, 800-355-9192 or 859-734-2364

Harrodsburg/Mercer County Tourist Commission, www.HarrodsburgKy.com

HI- and LOW-RES photos available.

ABOUT SHAKER VILLAGE OF PLESANT HILL (http://www.shakervillageky.org/) |Named a top hidden travel destination by BBC News, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is a landmark destination that shares 3,000 acres of discovery in the spirit of the Kentucky Shakers. With 34 original Shaker structures, the site is home to the country’s largest private collection of original 19th century buildings and is the largest National Historic Landmark in Kentucky. Demonstrating a commitment to community, sustainability and ingenuity, Shaker Village embraces three pillars rooted in time-honored Shaker legacies, including balanced preservation and conservation; engaged learning and exploration; and warm, spirited hospitality. Onsite services at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill include overnight accommodations, dining, beverage and catering services, three craft shops, exhibitions in historic buildings, a farm and garden area, the Dixie Belle Riverboat and 1,200 acres of restored native prairie. For more information, please visit www.ShakerVillageKy.org.

ABOUT HARRODSBURG, KY (http://www.harrodsburgky.com/)| Sitting amidst four National Register Historic Districts in the heart of Kentucky’s famed Bluegrass region, Kentucky’s oldest town is one of the coolest places in history. Harrodsburg is full of the unexpected: Ten bourbon distilleries, four craft distilleries and more than a dozen wineries are a short drive away. There are horseback riding trails, backroads and byways for bicycle enthusiasts, and outdoor water sports from kayaking to skiing. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, America’s largest restored Shaker community and a founding member of Discovery Destinations, a collection of distinct, independent destination properties, and Beaumont Inn, the state’s oldest family-operated country inn, are here. Commemorating the first permanent settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains is Old Fort Harrod State Park with full-scale replica fort. Providing an up-close view of one of the most unique ecosystems in the country, the geologically ancient Kentucky River Palisades, is the authentic 115-passenger Dixie Belle sternwheeler. Harrodsburg is one of “the 10 Most Beautiful Towns in Kentucky” (TheCultureTrip.com); one of Best Choice Reviews’ “50 Best Small Town Downtowns in America”; Smithsonian Magazine’s “20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2014”; one of BBC NEWS Magazine’s “Five hidden US Travel Destinations”; and one of the “10 Most Beautiful, Charming Small Towns in Kentucky” (OnlyInYourState.com). Authentic, affordable, family-friendly – and full of the unexpected. This is Harrodsburg. www.HarrodsburgUnexpected.com, facebook/Harrodsburg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/HarrodsburgMercer-County-Tourist-Commission/260238942507)