The Paris House Designs Shaker Village
CONTENTS: Travel Design Cooking Gardens Shaker Furniture
Spring 2011
Articles written by Michele Rosenthal Photography by Sam Rosenthal Food prepared by Michele Rosenthal Magazine created by Sam Rosenthal
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..
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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. . Â 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.
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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
"Simple Gifts" Alfred, ME- 1848 Used in worship for quick dance
the World is their gift of music and song writing. The following is one of the most famous and
“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.
you may recognize it from President Obama’s inauguration. (Lyrics to the left)
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.”
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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(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.
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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)
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SHAKER CHICKEN IN CIDER AND CREAM 1 (4 lb.) chicken, quartered 5 tbsp. butter, melted 1/2 c. cider 1 tbsp. grated lemon rind 1 c. heavy cream 1 tsp. salt 1 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.
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Recipe adapted from; Source: http://www.abbyskitchen.co.uk
The Paris House Chicken in Apple Cider I 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.
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Shaker Lemon Bars (Adapted from Martha Stewart Living) Begin step one the day before you plan to bake these cookies. Ingredients Makes 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 sifting Directions 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 1/2inch 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
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