SHAKER FURNITURE FROM...

History of the Shakers

The noise and confusion of our electronic world is a stark contrast to the tranquility of the rural setting in which the Shakers lived, worked and worshipped. Yet today, The Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, as they are far more formally known, still generates great interest in those who appreciate the quality and simplicity of Shaker workmanship.

Founded by a Manchester woman Ann Lee and eight followers who sailed to the New World in 1774 to escape religious persecution. The Shakers achieved a social order based on equality, sharing and personal anonymity. From a modern perspective it is hard to understand this pervasive selflessness,
yet Shakerism flourished spiritually and economically. By the time of the Civil War almost six thousand souls lived in eighteen communities scattered from Main to Southwest Kentucky.

The Shaker philosophy of simple, celibate, communal living was strictly observed by 'Families' who established a definite pattern of work and devotion. Mother Ann's advocacy of "Hands to work and hearts to God" was followed by all the members even the smallest children who were fully occupied at all times except times of worship. A reverence for perfection in work, characterized their lives. This led to a high level of craftsmanship the overriding characteristics of which was unity and simplicity. Ornamentation of any sort was considered as vanity and
useless ostentation.

The Civil War saw a significant decline in the prosperity of the Shaker communities. Although cleared of the obligation of bearing arms, their land and buildings were torn apart by the marauding armies, and war losses were never recouped. The Industrial Age that swept across America also brought factories and mass production techniques with which the Shakers simple provincial industries could not compete. They were after all agriculturalists and hand craftsmen and women. Prospective converts were also increasingly drawn to the bustle of the growing cities, away from the quiet farms and villages that were the essence of Shaker life.

By the 1870's, the membership had dwindled to 2,500 and at the turn of the century whole communities had been discontinued. Today the surviving few Shakers residing at Canterbury New Hampshire and Sabbath day Lake Maine function only as custodians of the movement which tried, by striving for perfection in their lives, to create heaven on Earth.