Shakers

This article is about the Shakers, a religious denomination. For other uses of the term shakers or shaker, see Shakers (disambiguation).

Modern-day Shakers

Membership in the Shakers dwindled in the late 1800s for several reasons. People were attracted to cities and away from the farms. Shaker products could not compete with mass-produced products that became available at a much lower cost. Shakers could not have children, and although they did adopt, this was not a major source of new members. Some Shaker settlements, such as Pleasant Hill community in Kentucky, have become museums.

Related Topics:
1800s - Pleasant Hill - Museum

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Believers have continually looked at the story of Ann Lee as a cornerstone of the theological architecture that has distinguished their church from other American religious groups. Shaker theology, its manifestation in material artifacts such as furniture and oval boxes, and the Ann Lee story have continually drawn the attention of outsiders either fascinated or repulsed by them.

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Although there were six thousand believers at the peak of the Shaker movement, there were only twelve Shakers left by 1920. In the United States today there is one active Shaker community with four members at Sabbathday Lake, Maine. The Sabbathday Lake community still accepts new recruits, as it has since its founding. This community, founded in 1783, was one of the smaller and more isolated Shaker communities during the sect's heyday. They farm and practice a variety of handicrafts; a Shaker Museum, and Sunday services, are open to visitors. Now Mother Ann day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. The people sing and dance and a Mother Ann cake is presented. There is a legend that one of Mother Ann's predictions states that there will be a revival when there are only five Shakers left. However, this is untrue. Mother Ann never stated this.

Related Topics:
1920 - Sabbathday Lake, Maine - 1783

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The daily schedule of a Shaker in Sabbathday Lake Village is as follows:

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The day will begin for many at 7:30 a.m., the Great Bell on Dwelling House rings calling every one to breakfast.

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At 8:00 a.m. Morning Prayers will start. They may read two Psalms and then read from the Bible. This will be followed by Prayer and silent prayer, concluded with the singing of a Shaker hymn.

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Work for the Shakers begins at 8:30.

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Work is interrupted at 11:30 for Mid-day prayers.

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"Dinner" begins at 12:00. This is the main meal for the Shakers.

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Work will continue at 1:00 p.m.

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At 6:00 it is supper time, the last meal of the day.

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On Wednesdays at 5:00 they hold a prayer meeting which is followed by a Shakers Studies class.

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