Upholding Shakers Traditions :: essays research papers

Traditions Upheld The Shakers are universally admired for their architecture and handcrafts. Shakers believed that they served God by approaching every task with care. This care resulted in a distinctive Shaker style of architecture, furniture and decorative arts characterized by traditional Shaker values of simplicity, utility and fine craftsmanship. The Shaker sense of order and neatness is reflected in the clean lines and lack of ornamentation of their designs. Shakers were pioneers of the principles of form and function advocated later by architects and designers. The Shakers, or United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, are the most enduring and successful of the many communitarian societies established in America in the 18th and 19th centuries. The first Shakers, led by Ann Lee, came to America from Manchester, England, in 1774 seeking a place to freely practice their religious beliefs. Near Albany, New York, they established the foundation for a unique sect which has endured for more than 220 years. The early Shakers traveled through New England and New York, attracting converts who were impressed by the kind of personal, spiritual relationship with God preached by Ann Lee. Converts gathered into communities, bound by their shared faith and a commitment to common property, celibacy, confession of sins, equality of men and women, isolation and separation from the world. By the 1830s nineteen Shaker communities had been established in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Ohio, Kentucky and Indian a. Shakerism reached its peak in the mid-1800s, with an estimated five thousand members. There are still a few Shakers around today. The village that was most discussed by Susan Jackson Keig was in Pleasantville Kentucky. She discussed the Shakers singular way of life and their very detailed lives. There were four villages in Ohio, two in Kentucky and one in Indiana. There were nineteen major Shaker villages. These people new the secrets to live they seemed to live longer and be in better health. The Shakers were caring people they would take in orphans and all sorts of people, they did not discriminate against who was allowed in their village. Susan Jackson Keig showed a medley of beautiful pictures that can not be found any where else. I really enjoyed her presentation. Upholding Shakers Traditions :: essays research papers Traditions Upheld The Shakers are universally admired for their architecture and handcrafts. Shakers believed that they served God by approaching every task with care. This care resulted in a distinctive Shaker style of architecture, furniture and decorative arts characterized by traditional Shaker values of simplicity, utility and fine craftsmanship. The Shaker sense of order and neatness is reflected in the clean lines and lack of ornamentation of their designs. Shakers were pioneers of the principles of form and function advocated later by architects and designers. The Shakers, or United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, are the most enduring and successful of the many communitarian societies established in America in the 18th and 19th centuries. The first Shakers, led by Ann Lee, came to America from Manchester, England, in 1774 seeking a place to freely practice their religious beliefs. Near Albany, New York, they established the foundation for a unique sect which has endured for more than 220 years. The early Shakers traveled through New England and New York, attracting converts who were impressed by the kind of personal, spiritual relationship with God preached by Ann Lee. Converts gathered into communities, bound by their shared faith and a commitment to common property, celibacy, confession of sins, equality of men and women, isolation and separation from the world. By the 1830s nineteen Shaker communities had been established in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Ohio, Kentucky and Indian a. Shakerism reached its peak in the mid-1800s, with an estimated five thousand members. There are still a few Shakers around today. The village that was most discussed by Susan Jackson Keig was in Pleasantville Kentucky. She discussed the Shakers singular way of life and their very detailed lives. There were four villages in Ohio, two in Kentucky and one in Indiana. There were nineteen major Shaker villages. These people new the secrets to live they seemed to live longer and be in better health. The Shakers were caring people they would take in orphans and all sorts of people, they did not discriminate against who was allowed in their village. Susan Jackson Keig showed a medley of beautiful pictures that can not be found any where else. I really enjoyed her presentation.