Did the Shakers Celebrate Halloween?

The air is cooler, the leaves are changing, and there’s a palpable magic in the air… it must be getting close to Halloween! People are always curious about whether or

The Believers: Portraits of a Small Sample of Visitors from the World’s People

For a true depiction of the social nature of the Shakers, it is helpful to examine the accounts of the very diverse people who visited Shaker communities. Countless documents were

A Piece of Mother Ann Lee: Material Culture and Ann Lee – Part 2

This is the second part of a four part series that will appear throughout the year on the blog. Please click here to read part 1. Ann Lee was British, and therefore

A Piece of Mother Ann: Material Culture and Ann Lee – Part 1

Ed. Note: This is the first part of a four part series. We will be sharing the next three parts throughout the year on the blog. This year we celebrate

“We Keep a Christmas:” Shakers and the Changing Christmas Tradition

When the Shakers arrived on the shores of America in 1774, the celebration of Christmas was very different from today’s traditions. It was primarily a religious day, as it was

Get to Know a Shaker: Aurelia White

Aurilla (Aurelia) White was born on February 13, 1818 in Bennington, VT. She came to the Shakers when she was just 12 years old and spent her entire life in

Twelve Brethren and Sisters: Their Search and Destiny

This article was written by SHS volunteer Jim Maczek. Many visitors to the Shaker Heritage Society’s exhibit room in the Meeting House have asked some rather profound questions. One in

Pacifist Patriots: The Shakers in World War I

A century ago today, the British ocean liner Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland. The attack resulted in 1,198 deaths, including 128 Americans. Although it took another two

This post was written by SHS staff member Candis Murray, Ph.D.  By 1774 Ann Lee and her small band of Shaking Quakers had found their situation in England increasingly unstable. Considered

All God’s Creatures: The Shakers and Their Animals

In celebration of National Puppy Day on March 23rd (yes, it’s a real holiday, promoting the adoption of dogs from shelters and educating about the dangers of puppy mills), let’s