New England - Days 4, 5 and 6 Part Two.

So what are “Shakers” you may ask.   They organized in the United States in the 1780’s.  They were first called the “Shaking Quakers” because they actually shook their arms and bodies during singing to cast off the bad thoughts and ill will.  They practiced celibacy and lived in a communal, utopian society.  They were pacifists and believe in the equality of the sexes.  They were known for their simple lifestyle, their thirst for technological innovations, their music, they were avid gardeners saving seeds for the next season and their furniture making.  There is only one Shaker settlement still in existence today and since Shakers are celibate…..well, I need not say any more on that.   

The Enfield Shakers farmed over 3,000 acres.  In nearby Mount Lebanon, NY they had a successful seed business.   The Shakers were the first to package seeds for sale. They create innovations in marketing seeds, distributing them, packaging and cataloging which lead to lasting change in the horticultural business forever. 

They also did broom making.  On site at Enfield, is a building they that are renovating a building that will house the broom making.   They are currently renovating but allowed us in to watch the broom making process.   Did you know a good broom will stand up on its own?   Their’s all did.   They sell all the different varieties of brooms they make in the gift shop and they also offer a 3 hour class to make your own broom!

Also onsite, the 1854 cow barn…..mainly full of pigeons now.

In the next building, there was Shaker

 clothing on display as well as The Tempestry Project.

The Tempestry Project started in Washington State in 2017.   Because climate change is always a difficult topic, crafters used their medium to ‘chart’ temperature patterns and changes.  In Enfield, they knitted with worsted merino wool tapestries.   Using a key with a different color to represent every degree.  

Done in 10 year increments, they knitted a row to represent the average temperature for each day of one of the years in that decade.

It was surprising to me to see this visual.  I for one do believe that global warming is happening but looking at this nearly two hundred year record what I took away was more cyclical.     

Some decades warmer, some not; some decades with longer summer seasons.  Recently it looks like the slightest shift to longer summers with more higher heat days.

The original site had over 100 buildings which included  the “Great Stone Dwelling”. The largest ever Shaker building and now housing the Museum.  Due to declining membership they were force to sell  property in 1927.   Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, an order of Catholic priests, bought property and build a Chapel.    The La Salette continued the tradition of spiritual, communal life and agricultural.   They established a seminary and high school.  The property was sold again in 1985 by a private group of investors.  In 1997, the Museum was able to purchase the Chapel as well as other Enfield buildings.  

Still a beautiful building with an equally beautiful interior and stained glass windows, sits empty now.

The Museum tour offered some great finds.   Original “Dorothy” cloaks.  Typical construction with hood and cape.   These cloaks have “The Dorothy” labels inside the neckline.  One of a couple different cloak patterns they used.

Using this photo, the scene was re-created in the museum.

This 1839 hymnal contains songs, sight reading and singing drills. 

Shaker furniture 

In the Dining Hall there was several examples of perforated paper stitched pieces.

 

Walls of built in cabinetry.  Not a bit of wasted space!

 

Storage closet for dinner ware.

Their tables were set in sets of four so everything was in reach of each diner.  Shakers ate in 15 minutes and there was no talking at the table.   With everything within reach it wasn’t necessary to ask to have something passed to you.

Thick walls and their shutter ‘storage’ built in to the window casing.

The built ins found in the bedrooms.

Some smalls including a beautiful sewing baskets.

 

Looking out the window directly behind my ‘retreat seat’, beautiful sunset sky on our last full day in Enfield. 

Next up, our ride home and another great stop along the way.