shaker village
DESCRIPTION
Shaker Village magazine with articles, photos, and recipes.TRANSCRIPT
CONTENTS:Travel
DesignCookingGardens
Shaker Furniture
The Paris House DesignsShaker Village
Spring 2011
Articles written by Michele Rosenthal
Photography by Sam Rosenthal
Food prepared by Michele Rosenthal
Magazine created by Sam Rosenthal
3
THE SIMPLISTIC AND BEAUTIFUL STYLE OF THE SHAKERS My family and I recently
vacationed in the Berkshire
Mountains in Massachusetts;
a lush, mountainous region
filled with beautiful
picturesque countryside,
fresh locally prepared
organic food, artisanal crafts,
art, museums, music and, an
abundance of culture at
Tanglewood. While there we
spent the day visiting the
Hancock Shaker Village.
“Hancock Village is a
National Historic Landmark. .
They just celebrated their
50th anniversary as a living
history museum and center
for the study of principled
living in 2010. The Village is
located in Pittsfield, Mass
and is fully restored including
18 historic buildings,
heirloom medicinal gardens,
22,000 examples of Shaker
furniture, crafts, tools, and
clothes that depict daily
life at Shaker’s City of Peace
through its 220 years, as well
as heritage-breed farm
animals and spectacular
hiking trails..
4
There are daily tours, craft
and cooking demonstrations,
lectures and workshops, and
a variety of activities for
children and families, as well
as a museum store and
Shaker-inspired cuisine at the
Villages Harvest Cafe. My
children enjoyed the
Discovery Room that offered
hands-on opportunities for
kids of all ages to try their
hand at chair-seat weaving,
working at a loom, trying on
Shaker-style clothing, or
milking a life-sized replica of
a cow. An interactive audio
tour (free with admission) is
available in English, French,
Italian ad German” (source
‘Hancock Shaker Village
Magazine’).
Up until this visit the first thing I thought of when thinking of the Shakers were their
simplistic designs specifically their furniture. Of course the iconic shaker chair is something
that most can immediately identify; but, what else do we really know about this religious
group? As I researched and read up on the Shakers as I do before visiting anyplace I travel to,
I became more and more fascinated by this group of worshipers. I always do a little research
before I embark on any of my travels because I want to know as much as possible about the
place before I get there, I don't want to miss a thing and I want to ask a lot of questions and
learn as much as I can. I also love to be surprised along the way and discover off the beaten
path treasures. I soon began to understand that the Shakers had a much greater impact and
interesting history than I had ever imagined.
5
The Shakers, The United
Society of Believers in
Christ's Second Appearing,
or better know as the
‘Shaking Quakers’ because
their worship services were
so ecstatic they would often
shake during them. The
Shakers began in
Manchester England in
1747, and like many
religious sects formed from
mainstream Protestant
religion. It was the French
Camisards (http://
www.nps.gov/nr/travel/
shaker/shakers.htm) in
southern France in the 17th
century and their religious
beliefs that inspired both
the Quakers and the
Shakers. The Shakers
founded Ann Lee or Mother
Ann as she was referred to
as their new leader. Mother
Ann joined them by 1758. .
She asked her followers to
confess their sins, give up
all their worldly goods, and
take a vow of celibacy. She
felt that neither marriage nor
giving in to marriage was
necessary and celibacy was
a preparation for for the
Kingdom.
6
Some feel she was perhaps one of our earliest feminists.
However it certainly made
growing their congregation very
challenging as they needed to
rely on converts and bringing in orphans to increase their size.
Even though the Shakers did not
practice procreation themselves
children were welcome into their
communal families through either adoption or conversion.
The Shakers welcomed all and
often took in the homeless and
orphans. At the age of 21 the
children were free to leave the Shaker religion to go their
separate way or remain with the
family. The Shakers lived and
worked together as a single
supportive group. The Shaker religion valued men and women
equally with the women at the
top of hierarchy, though at each
level men and women shared
equal responsibilities.
The Shakers perceived that God was embodied in both female and male characteristics.
Outside of church, the Shakers followed a more traditional gender work related roles. The homes were
segregated by sex, as were women and men’s work. Men worked in the fields or shops while women
worked indoors cooking, sewing, cleaning, and washing. It is very interesting as women in the 21st
century continue to struggle for equal rights, respect and pay to realize and fully understand that the
Shaker’s valued women’s status in society and realized the importance and difficulty of women’s work
and did not feel a need to unnecessarily elevate the male. This very modern way of thinking allowed
the continuation of church leadership after all the male leaders had died and membership consisted
solely of women. (source, Wikipedia and the Hancock Shaker Village tour guide, and magazine).
7
1774 Ann Lee and 8 of her followers
made the journey from
England to the Colonies
where they settled in
Watervliet New York which is now called
Colonie, this has often
been an area of
confusion, many of the
Shakers referred to their community as The
Niskayuna Shakers.
These towns are all very
familiar to me as this is
an area of Upstate New York, very close to
Albany NY and not far
from where I grew up.
Mother Ann continued
to preach with great passion throughout the
area and mostly in New
England giving very
powerful talks. . Mother
Ann Lee continued as their leader until her
passing in 1784.
Although the Shakers
represent an incredibly
small group of followers they are however
considered one of the
most influential,
preaching in their
communities knew no boundaries of
education, gender or
social class.
8
No matter how limited in size their voice was it
could not be ignored.
To this day they remain
one of they greatest
influences in furniture design which simplicity
lends a modern
timeless style that
continues to influence
some of the greatest designers and furniture
makers. Many of their
collections are
priceless. The Shakers
built 500 settlements that attracted some
20,000 converts over
the next century and
along the way
contributed timeless works of art.
Another great
gift The Shakers gave to
the World is their gift of
music and song writing. The following is one of
the most famous and
you may recognize it
from President Obama’s
inauguration. (Lyrics to the left)
"Simple Gifts" Alfred, ME- 1848
Used in worship for quick dance
“Tis the gift to be simple, Tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be;
And when we find ourselves in the place just
right, 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd, To bow and to
bend we shan't be ashamed. To turn, turn will be
our delight 'Till by turning, turning we come
round right.”
9
The Shakers composed thousands of songs and created
dances to go with them. The
were an incredibly important
part of their worship services.
They recorded musical inspiration as it occurred. Many
had no formal musical training
and used a form of music
notation called the letteral
system. Many consisting of syllables and words from
unknown tongues. Many
Shaker melodies are of
extraordinary grace and beauty.
To this day, even though little is known regarding the Shaker
song repertoire it remains an
important part of the American
cultural heritage and of world
religious music in general. The few remaining Shaker's continue
to sing songs from both the
earlier repertoire and the four
part songbooks.
The most famous Shaker song is "Simple Gifts" which Aaron Copland used as a theme in
1944 for variations in the ballet "Appalachian Spring". The tune was composed by Elder
Joseph Brackett and originated in the Shaker community in Maine in 1848. Many
contemporary Christian denominations incorporate this tune into hymnals, under various
names, including "Lord of the Dance", adapted in 1964 by English poet and songwriter
Sydney Carter. (source, Wikipedia).
You may recognize "Simple Gifts" from President Barrack Obama's inauguration as it
was performed by Yo -Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman. Please visit here to listen to this lovely
performance.
10
Other Shaker Lyrics that were used by
an American Rock band
REM included a song
called “Fireplace” on its
1987 album “Document.” The lyrics
of the song (“Hang up
your chairs to better
sweep/Clear the floor to
dance/Shake the rug into the fireplace”) are
adapted from a speech
by Mother Ann Lee.
Please visit Wikipedia
for more works of art and music derived from
the Shaker experience.
The Timeless Appeal of Shaker
Furniture
The Shakers had a
very strong work ethic
and a famous quote of
theirs really sums it
up. “Do your work as
though you had a
thousand years to live
and as if you were to
die tomorrow.” “Put
your hands to work,
and your heart to
God.” If this isn’t
inspiring I don’t know
what is!
11
The Shakers were known for a very specific style of furniture know as Shaker furniture. The style was very plain and simplistic and although we associate it with days long gone many modernist love the clean modern lines and use their designs in their homes, work and creative inspirations to this day. The Shaker chairs were massed produced around the time of the Civil War. They never made ornate items and relied on their skills and hard work to provide quality for their families. The Shakers designed their furniture avoiding making anything with extra decorations or detail but only for their intended use.
The iconic Shaker Ladder-back Chair was and still is a very popular piece of
furniture. Most of their items were crafted from pine wood. Their interiors were equally
simple, efficient and unadorned characterized by austerity and simplicity. An example
would be the continuous wooden device that ran along the upper level and hung light
furniture such as their Famous Shaker Chair when they are not in use. American
architects and designers have found lasting inspiration from the simple architecture of
their homes and gardens.
12
The Shakers won
respect and admiration
for their productive
farms and organization
and efficient skills. Some
of their other inventions
were the Babbit metal,
the rotary harrow, the
circular saw, the
clothespin, the Shaker
peg, the flat broom, and
the wheel-driven
washing machine. At
one time the Shakers
were the largest
producer of medicinal
herbs in the United
States and really
pioneered the sale of
seeds in paper packets.
Not to mention their
contribution to music,
lyrics, dance and folk
art.
The Shakers
influenced many people
to write books and to
adapt ways of life. Sadly
by the middle of the 20th
century many Shaker
communities were
disappearing. Many
American collectors
whose visual tastes were
formed by the stark
designs of the modernist
movement found
themselves drawn to the
spare designs and
artifacts of the Shakers.
The ideology that form follows function continues to be clearly expressed in modern day
interpretations of Shaker Designs. Original pieces of furniture are often priceless.
13
Modern Day Shakers
By the end of the 19th century the Shaker membership had dwindled. There are many reasons for this; Shaker furniture could no longer compete with mass produced products that were available at much lower prices, many people chose a life near a city and moved away from farmlands, a new law was passed in 1960 denying adoption by religious groups which made ‘recruiting’ and growing their congregation much more challenging. Some of the Shaker settlements were turned into museums such as the Pleasant Hill community in Kentucky after its last member, Ethel Hudson died in September 1992.
At the peak of the Shaker movement there were 6,000 members at one time but by 1920
there were only twelve Shaker communities left. In the United States there is now only one
active Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, which in April 2010 had only 3 members
left.
The Sabbathday Lake still accepts new recruits. The community founded in 1782 was
one of the smaller more isolated communities during the sect’s heyday. Here they spend their
days farming and making a variety of handicrafts. There is a Shaker museum and a Sunday
service which is open to visitors. As there are only 3 members left there, it may be a very
interesting part of history to visit if you happen to be in that part of Maine. The members
celebrate Mother Ann Day on the first Sunday of August. They sing and dance and enjoy a
Mother Ann cake.
14
(This is an example of their daily schedule at the Shaker Village in Sabbathday Lake):
* The day begins for at 7.30a.m.; the Great Bell on Dwelling House rings, calling every one to
breakfast.
* At 8:00a.m. Morning Prayers start. They may read two Psalms and then read from the Bible.
Following this is Prayer and silent prayer, concluded with the singing of a Shaker hymn.
* *Work for the Shakers begins at 8:30
* * Work stops at 11:30 for Mid-day prayers.
* * Lunch begins at 12:00. This is the main meal for the Shakers.
* * Work continues at 1:00 p.m.
* * AT 6:00 it is dinner time, the last meal of the day.
* * On Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. They hold a prayer meeting which is followed by a Shaker
Studies class.
15
Shaker Trust In October 2005
Sabbathday Lake Shaker
Village, Maine and its members entered into a trust
with the state of Maine and
several conservation groups.
The board members, who are
largely non-Shakers will decide whether the property
will become a museum, park
or other public space should
the Shakers die out. (That
decision will be made by a nonprofit corporation- the
United Society of Shakers,
Sabbathday Lake Inc.) This
will preserve their legacy as
well as their idyllic, lakeside property at Sabbathday Lake
Shaker Village, Maine.
The $3.7 million conservation
plan relies on grants,
donations and public funds. (In 2009, Toronto-based,
American-born poet Damian
Rogers released her first
volume of poetry, Paper Radio.
The lifestyle and philosophy of the Shakers and the matriarch
Ann Lee are recurring themes
in her work.)
The Shakers continue to
influence our culture, design, art and where many still draw
influence from the Shaker’s
history and practice.
(Sources: The Hancock Shaker
Village, Wikipedia, You Tube President Obama’s
Inauguration)
16
SHAKER CHICKEN IN CIDER AND
CREAM
1 (4 lb.) chicken, quartered5 tbsp. butter, melted
1/2 c. cider
1 tbsp. grated lemon rind
1 c. heavy cream
1 tsp. salt1 tsp. fresh pepper
Cook chicken in hot butter until
brown. Cover pan and continue
cooking over low heat until tender,
30-40 minutes. Add cider and lemon rind and spoon liquid over chicken.
If chicken seems to be drying, add
cider before chicken is fully cooked.
Remove chicken to warm platter.
Quickly add cream and seasonings to pan and stir. Pour hot sauce over
chicken. Serves 4-5.
Recipe adapted from; Source: http://www.abbyskitchen.co.uk
17
The Paris House Chicken in Apple CiderI created this recipe for a more elegant dinner party I hosted while still keeping it super easy and delicious. It was influenced from the Above Shaker Chicken Recipe. You can often easily update an older recipe and make it more modern and perfect for todays entertaining needs.
*I used organic chicken breasts, and sauteed them in a few tablespoons of butter and a little olive oil to prevent burning and add flavor. I then removed them from the pan after they were golden brown and kept warm on a plate loosely covered in foil.*I added my apple slices ( about 4-6 Granny Smith) a little more butter and 2-4 sliced shallots and sauteed until golden brown and buttery. Then I removed them and added them to the dish of chicken breast to keep warm.* I deglazed my pan, scraping up the brown bits with a few tablespoons of 'Apple Jack Brandy'* Then I added 1 cup of good Farm purchased Apple Cider and reduced it over medium heat until it thickened up and became a bit 'syrupy' Absolutely delicious!!!*I added salt & pepper to taste and a squeeze of lemon.*Lastly I added 1 cup of heavy cream and a dollop of creme fraiche and combined over a very low heat until thickened.*Then put your chicken breasts, sauteed apples, shallots and any juices back in the pan and heat through making sure they are cooked ( you could also warm them up in the oven if you like)* I added sprigs of fresh Thyme and a bit more salt and pepper to taste.This was all done in one pan on the stovetop and was very easy, very delicious and very elegant.** You can add more or less of the apple cider as you go along....I have been making my version of this dish for the past 17 years and it always turns out delicious.
18
Shaker Lemon Bars (Adapted from Martha Stewart Living)Begin step one the day before you plan to bake these cookies.IngredientsMakes about 5 dozen • 2 lemons, washed and dried • 2 cups plus 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 2 1/4 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• Confectioners' sugar, for siftingDirections 1. Slice lemons as thinly as possible; remove seeds. Toss slices with 2 cups sugar; transfer mixture to a flat resealable plastic container. Place in the refrigerator overnight. 2. Place butter, salt, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, and flour in the bowl of a food processor. Process until mixture is crumbly and starts to hold together. 3. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12-by-17-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, making sure there are no holes. There should be at least 1/2-inch crust of dough going up the sides of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 15 minutes 4. Place lemon-sugar mixture and eggs in the bowl of a food processor. Process until lemon rinds are in 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces, 30 to 40 seconds. Pour mixture over cookie crust. Bake until set, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Trim 1/2 inch around edges of pan. Cut into about sixty 1 1/4-by-2-inch pieces. Sift confectioners’ sugar over cookies.From Martha Stewart Living, December/January 1999/2000