SHIRLEY — Only four seats remain on the Sunday, Oct. 9 tour of the Shirley Shaker Village.
Access to the site is limited since the state of Massachusetts now owns the property and it is part of the prison system.
The area once was the home of 150 believers in the second coming of Christ. Commonly known as Shakers, this hard-working communal sect produced high-quality seeds, herbs, mops, brooms, apple sauce and hops. Few of their products remain since they were so good and they were bought and used. What remains are some of their buildings set on a hillside that runs down to the Nashua River.
Tours of the area start at the museum at 12:30 p.m. and are led by Meredith Marcinkewicz of the Shirley Historical Society.
Reservations must be made in advance by calling (978) 425-9328 and sending payment of $12 per person. Private tours may also be arranged for groups of eight to 12 people.