In 1774, a small band of religious dissidents known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Appearing arrived in New York after a difficult ocean voyage from England. Better known as the Shakers, they brought with them a unique approach to Protestant Christianity centered on the core tenants of celibacy, confession, and communal ownership of goods. Over the next half century, the Shaker Society grew from a small group of English immigrants to an order of over four thousand people living in major communities from Maine to Kentucky.

Who were the Shakers? What were their unique religious beliefs and practices? How did their spiritual perspective inform their lifestyle, inventions, agricultural practices, businesses, and industries? Over a period of six weeks, we will explore the answers to these questions and more through the lives of individual Shakers.

In addition to lectures and discussions led by expert museum staff and volunteers, each class will include active explorations of the buildings, grounds, and Shaker sites at the Enfield Shaker Museum. Come prepared for moderately strenuous physical activity such as climbing six flights of stairs to the attics of the Great Stone Dwelling and hiking to explore the Shaker water system. There will be a short list of primary required readings and a long list of suggested readings. These will include both primary and secondary source material on the Shakers.