Kentucky, A State of Friendliness ( Part 1)

A history research trip led The Preppy American to Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.  The Shaker Village thrived for more than 100 years. It was established in 1805 on 3,000 acres which the Shaker's named Pleasant Hill.  It's now a National Historic Site. 

Have you heard of Murray, Kentucky? I've never been there but it recently won the Rand McNally USA Today "Most Friendliest" town designation. I'm not surprised by the recognition because I had previously traveled to the State of Kentucky (Lexington & Harrodsburg area) where I experienced a heaping dose of friendliness. Prior to my arrival to Kentucky for a history research project I really did not know much about the other side of Kentucky therefore I had absolutely no expectation of anything except my anticipation was that I would be greeted by a Confederate Flag at the Bluegrass airport. However, there wasn't a flag. Instead, strangers greeted me with smiles and friendliness. Kentucky bowled me over with their friendliness.  I had to re-orient my thinking. 

People in Kentucky (at least the areas that I visited) were so welcoming that I thought that I had entered into the Twilight Zone and at any moment Rod Sterling was going to appear in Black & White TV holding his signature cigarette. People in Kentucky are SUPER-friendly. It was a huge cultural shock and it blindsided me. Kentucky's friendliness did not feel manufactured but it's just the way many Kentuckians are naturally wired. Their affability touched me emotionally and it reminded me about the value of just being friendly! Kentucky's friendliness left an impression upon me that will last my lifetime. Prior to my work trip to Kentucky I had never experienced a geographic location within the USA with quite that level on kindliness. Ever since my visit I've been proselytizing about Kentucky's friendliness.

As an ode to Kentucky-friendliness, take a look at my photo album on Facebook from my history research trip to Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

And, check out Murray, Kentucky's Facebook page here.

The Preppy American at the Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, Kentucky

Click here for more photos of The Preppy American journey Kentucky.
Go here to learn more about the Shaker history.
Visit here for more information about traveling to Lexington, Kentucky