Shaker Colony

Well known Shaker ladder back chair hanging upside down on the peg wall with the broom

Central Building - 40 rooms, dorm style bedrooms, kitchen, common rooms

Oct 25/18  Weather was grey and cool today but dry until late afternoon, 59/48.  We asked to stay an extra night so we good take advantage of the day and ride out 12 miles to a unique village that was here from 1807 till 1922; South Union Shaker Village.   It took up 6,000 acres and had over 200 buildings with a peak of 350 persons.  After the Civil War it never recovered from the loss of food supplies, the Village fed over 50,000 soldeirs as they were totally bipartisian in the war.

Back to the question of what are Shakers?  The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, more commonly known as the Shakers, were a Christian sect founded in the 18th century in England. They were initially known as "Shaking Quakers" because of their ecstatic behavior during worship services. 

every room has the peg rail to hang hat, clothes, chair, brooms

Shaker Villages practiced a celebate communal living, where all property was shared with equal opportunity for women and men and no regard to colour of skin. They didn’t believe in procreation, and therefore had to adopt children and recruit converts into their community. For those that were adopted, they were given a choice to either stay within the community or leave when they turned 21. It was a safe haven for many. In that time remember women and children were considered a man's property but here they were equal.

Dorm style bedroom

With much hard work, each person had to do their share; they experienced a higher quality of living in those days than many others. A child or adult would have 3 hot meals a day, a clean environment, heat and running water in buildings, others to help care or the children, an infirmy, no abuse, schooling and responsibility to the community. Like the Quakers, the Shakers were pacifists who had advanced notions of gender and racial equality. The colony also believed in opportunities for intellectual and artistic development within the Society. Simplicity in dress, speech, and manner were encouraged, as was living in rural colonies away from the corrupting influences of the cities. Like other Utopian societies founded in the18th and19th centuries, the Shakers believed it was possible to form a more perfect society upon earth. All outsiders were considered from the World. A Shaker never visited beyond the Village and the outsiders were not welcomed into the Shakers buildings and property. There was however a common place for a Shaker to meet with family upon request. They were not held against their will.

Garden Seeds sold at South Union

Shakers were well known for their handmade furniture especially the ladder back chair, wall pegs, the flat broom, the clothespin, the circular saw and more items that made their life efficient. South Union was the farthest south and west colony. This Museum has a large amount of authentic Shaker furniture and made most of their money by growing, harvesting and selling garden seeds. The furniture guidelines are simple, utilitarian and require a purpose. The Village was totally self sufficient. In time the 350 members dropped to 50 after the Civil War and eventually in the 1920's they were unable to continue existance as their population dwindled to under 10. Currently in the USA their are 2 practicing Shakers alive, both in Maine. We spent 3 hours walking back in time here and were impressed with the artifacts and preservation of the Museum. While in Bowling Green take the time to see this history in American Life. Interesting tidbit.....We did not have Shaker Villages in Canada! The settlements started in the New England area and progressed south and west to this farthest colony.

Men use the left and women use the right doorways

Simplicistic living~ heat in every room, only 1 rocking chair allowed in a room