PORTLAND – Hancock Shaker Village has announced plans for the 30th annual Shaker Seminar, a five-day conference focused on various aspects of Shaker history, collecting, and research, July 25 to 30. This year’s seminar will be centered in Portland and will give special focus to the Shaker communities of Sabbathday Lake and Alfred.

A week of presentations, tours and programs by scholars, museum professionals and academics will combine with functions to offer a program that appeals to a variety of interests.

Weeklong and day registrations are available. Preregistration is required and can be made by contacting the village at (413) 443-0188 or (800) 817-1137. Registration deadlines are June 20 for resident registration, July 1 for commuter and single-day registration.

The seminar will begin Sunday evening, July 25, with dinner at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, followed by keynote address by Sister Frances Carr of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community.

On Thursday, June 29, participants will visit Alfred and the surrounding area. A walking tour of the former Shaker site in Alfred (now home of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, a closed religious community) will be led by Brother Arnold Hadd of the Sabbathday Lake community.

Seminar participants will have the opportunity to shop at DeWolfe and Wood Rare Books, which specializes in Shaker items, postcards and ephemera. Lunch will be at Leedy’s restaurant.

Resident registration is $800 a person, double occupancy and includes all offered meals, programs, admissions, transportation to Sabbathday Lake and Alfred, events and lodging. A single supplement is available for an additional $370. Commuter registration is $540 and includes all offered meals, programs, admissions, transportation to Sabbathday Lake and Alfred and events. Single day registration, which include all offered meals, programs, transportation for day trips and seminar book are also available. Contact the village at (413) 443-0188 for specific day rates.

Members of Hancock Shaker Village, Pleasant Hill, Shaker Heritage Society, Enfield Shaker Village, Friends of the Shakers, Shaker Museum and Library, Shaker Historical Museum and Friends of White Water will receive 10 percent off fees.

For more information, contact Hancock Shaker Village at (413)443-0188 or (800)817-1137.