Mood is: SHAKER VILLAGE
THE SHAKERS NEED NO INTRODUCTION, BUT SOME CONTEXT AS TO WHY THEY’RE THE MOOD THIS WEEK: IT WAS MY THIRTIETH BIRTHDAY WISH COME TRUE TO VISIT THE SABBATHDAY LAKE SHAKER VILLAGE, THE ONLY ACTIVE SHAKER COMMUNITY AND HOME TO THE LAST (TWO!) LIVING SHAKERS IN THE WORLD. YOU CAN SEE WHY TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE. BELOW, A BRIEF PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR OF THE VILLAGE, EXCLUSIVELY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SOMEONE WHO FOLLOWS THE RULES AND THEREFORE DID NOT TAKE ANY INDOOR PHOTOS.
DWELLING HOUSE
THE ACTUAL HOME OF THE SHAKERS!!! This governmental sized building houses the Shakers, their cooking, dining and living spaces, offices, and such.
BOYS’ SHOP
The Shaker boy’s dwelling and shop (the Shakers sold many of their homemade wares to tourists and appreciators). Now, this building is museum reception, exhibition space, and gift shop 1 of 2.
GIRLS’ SHOP
Same as the Boys’ Shop, but for girls, and not a reception center or gift shop. I was specifically into the granite post fence.
HERB HOUSE
There is a current capital campaign to renovate the Herb House into a Cultural & Traditional Arts Center. The plan aims to preserve the Shakers’ herb business that began in 1799, and expand the experience to include a commercial kitchen classroom, traditional arts and production studio (basketry, soap-making, textile arts, book binding, broom-making, printing, garden design…), herbal drying attic, and more.
MEETINGHOUSE
A spare room of shaker benches, for meeting. Boot scraper for boots.
Currently closed, but otherwise open by appointment. Note the downspout.
GRANARY
Now the primary exhibition space. Abuts the sheep enclosure!
SHAKER GREAT BARN
The front barn (c. 1830, left) and the back barn (c. 1830, right) were connected in 1891 to create this 160’ long Great Barn. The timber frame and granite foundation are currently being restored on the back half of this four-story structure. I wish the portable restroom wasn’t in the picture, but it is helpful for scale.
CARRIAGE SHED
From carriage to tractor to current equipment storage, a very good shed.
DOG HOUSE
From what I could glean, the Shakers are a dog people.
MOOD IS: PROMO
Check out the Rooted in Our Center Retreat for a 3-night restorative retreat at the Limina Retreat Center in Searsport, Maine. Dates: Friday, November 8 – Monday, November 11, 2024.
MOOD IS: IS AN INDEPENDENT NEWSLETTER CONCEPTED AND WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH MCAVOY. EACH EDITION FEATURES A NEW MOOD.