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In September Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon and Alan Devoe Bird Club organized the first in a series of free workshops and bird walks at the Mount Lebanon historic site. Up to 100 species of birds are reported to potentially inhabit the woodlands and wetlands in the area of New Lebanon, NY where the Shakers once lived, and yet only 32 species had been identified since 2014. 

Attendees were asked to bring their own binoculars and smart phones to the workshop, and to download the free app, Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab, in order to register the birds species they identified. By the end of the workshop, participants managed to observe 18 bird species: Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, Song Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Red-eyed Vireo, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, European Starling, American Robin, Chipping Sparrow, and Common Yellowthroat.

We are excited for more birding adventures that await us in the near future. Stay tuned for more information about our next event, coming up on April 25, 2020!

The Mount Lebanon Residency (MLR) has brought over 90 artists, activists, and experimental thinkers to Mount Lebanon over the past 5 years, and we were proud to host 30 emerging artists at the Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon’s Shaker Forge this season. The artists explored the Shaker archives, worked at Abode Farm, and made countless works inspired by living and working in this historic Shaker community.

This July, MLR hosted our first poetry marathon in the Great Stone Barn overlooking the North Pasture. Over 150 attendees and 50 writers, poets and journalists joined us in a 7-hour celebration of Mount Lebanon; paying homage to the site’s 200-year legacy of communitarian life. Our readers included Morgan Vo, Stacy Tran, Sam White, Sara Jane Stoner, Basie Allen, Suzanne Goldenberg, Anna Gurton-Wachter and many others, many of whom shared poems written on Mount Lebanon while in residence. August residents (and sisters) Mariana and Rebeca Roe Oliva joined us from Mexico to write and stage a play honoring their grandmother and a mystical desire to communicate with the dead. Performed in Spanish, with English subtitles projected on the wall above them, a shrine of garlic and a longing Mexican song set the stage for a séance to channel their grandmother’s deceased husband.

The first ever Clouds Gathering was a memorable weekend of dance, somatic healing and performance. Local artist Hana Van der Kolk rocked us with an ecstatic style workout. The harvest ripened in September and residents participated in picking a bounty of tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant, squash and many other vegetables. Artist Nathan Hausteinstien presented a series of paintings and poems about the life and visions of Sister Miranda Barber and artist in residence Francesca Caruso staged a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s church cantata “Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut” (“My Heart Swims in Blood”), an early Bach cantata about carnal salvation, featuring soloist mezzo soprano Lucia della Paolera and a small baroque ensemble.

Another growing season has passed on Mount Lebanon deepening our belief that combining the creative practices of art and agriculture yields, time and again, moving and necessary work. The conviction running through the Shakers and the Sufis that work is an expression of love, something that comes from the heart, is something we try to embody in all of our projects. We are incredibly grateful to the Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon for supporting our experiments in living and art-making this season and we are filled with excitement for future explorations of Mount Lebanon. 
 
With Love,
Sarah Steadman and Emma Post

This case of drawers is one of the finest pieces of Shaker furniture in the Shaker Museum’s collection. It is quintessentially Shaker – sized for communal life, yet pleasantly proportioned; minimally decorated, yet with all the necessary refinements; and finished with a yellow paint so sparingly applied that even the subtle grain of the basswood drawer fronts show through its golden surface. The piece has been exhibited often and published in nearly every worthy book about Shaker furniture. Yet – one of the most interesting aspects of this piece and others like it has not been significantly addressed. How was it used in the context of Shaker life? 

A vibrant community of friends and supporters surrounds Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon. The museum would not exist without this community of people who share our commitment to preserve the Shaker legacy: a legacy that includes the Mount Lebanon historic site, an unparalleled collection of Shaker objects, and a distinct set of Shaker values: conviction, integrity, inclusion, and innovation.

Explore the Mount Lebanon historic site with Pat Liddle, a local expert in animal tracking, and learn more about the animals that live in our region. Beginners as well as experienced trackers welcome. Please note that this event involves hiking through off-trail areas and is not suitable for small children. This event will take place regardless of weather conditions, so please be prepared to wear appropriate attire and footwear.

We will meet by the Great Stone Barn at 10:00 AM!

The Shaker Museum invites all children 6 -10 years old to join us on February 21, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, for an afternoon of building and fun at the New Lebanon Library. Learn how the Shakers built their villages, and then plan and build your own. Cut, glue, tape, and decorate recycled materials to design buildings using your imagination.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian. Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring clean recyclables to contribute to the project!

On Thursday, April 30, the Shaker Museum's Director of Collections and Research Jerry Grant will be in conversation with choreographer Reggie Wilson following the Fist & Heel dance troupe's performance of Power at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.  Keep an eye out - we'll be selling tickets to the performance and the talk back soon!

A vibrant community of friends and supporters surrounds Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon. The museum would not exist without this community of people who share our commitment to preserve the Shaker legacy: a legacy that includes the Mount Lebanon historic site, an unparalleled collection of Shaker objects, and a distinct set of Shaker values: conviction, integrity, inclusion, and innovation.

It's not too late to join the Shaker Mitten KAL! No matter your level of experience or skill, you can become a part of this diverse group of knitters at various levels. If you haven''t registered yet, email sharding@shakermuseum.us to receive the free pattern and learn more. You can watch Shaker Museum''s KAL recordings on YouTube and see works-in-progress from participating knitters on the Ravelry Group Chat. Then join the group at our next Zoom meeting on November 20 to learn more about Shaker sheep farming and yarn production from Brother Arnold of the Sabbathday Lake Shakers.  

Whether you choose to order the newly restocked Shaker Mitten Knitting Kit or choose 225 yards of worsted weight and register to receive the pattern, you can knit at your own pace and participate in whatever way works for you!

Participation in the Knit-A-Long is FREE for all.

Next Event:
NOVEMBER 20 | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Online Event

Shaker Museum is building community by creating opportunities to connect, learn, make, and explore all year long. Members enjoy special access to in-person and online events, discounts on merchandise and event fees. Friends level and higher receive added benefits at North American Reciprocal Museums.

With the submission deadline approaching, the Shaker Museum invites all artists participating in "In Union: Remotely" to check in on each other and to celebrate the progress thus far!

Filmmaker Virginia Lee Montgomery has shared with us her submission Butterfly Birth Bed (Shaker Museum cut) to help inspire others and break the ice as we discuss inspiration and processes. The link to her video will be sent to registrants. Please enjoy it before logging in to the Zoom gathering.

We will answer any remaining questions regarding the submission process, the exhibition, and the methods we will use to publicize the event and the artists'' hard work.

You will receive the link to the Zoom meeting upon registration.

Singing was an essential means of articulating and processing experience in Shaker communities. It reflected the value of and need for community even as songs pointed the way to an individual's spiritual growth. Join Mary Ann Haagen, of the Enfield Shaker Singers, for a guided Zoom discussion about the importance of Shaker song to community life, in good times and bad.

Discussion will explore the internal and external resources we have been drawing on over the past several months of pandemic, economic hardship, and political polarization, and examine these influences in relation to Shaker experiences. Suggested readings will be sent to registrants prior to the event.

You will receive the link to the Zoom meeting upon registration.

With all the works of art for the call for art submitted, it''s time to meet the artists and view their creations!

At the Grand Opening for Call for Art: "In Union, Remotely," you will have a chance to enter the virtual gallery for the first time, and you will be introduced to some of the artists who have made this community art project an overwhelming success.

You will receive the link to the Zoom meeting upon registration.

If you're a gardener, hopefully your vegetables are growing vigorously and starting to produce. Perhaps you bought your seeds from the local Agway, or ordered them online, or saved them from last year's harvest. Through the first three-quarters of the nineteenth century, many gardeners throughout the Northeast would have purchased their seeds from the Shakers at Mount Lebanon via their local stores. The seed business was an important source of income for many Shaker communities. At Mount Lebanon alone, four of the families were engaged in the business - the North, Church, Second, and East families all raised and sold seeds - often overlapping in time and distribution routes. 

Did you know that a Shaker Museum membership provides special access to exhibitions and events? This summer the Museum is hosting guided discussions via Zoom, a special pop-up exhibition in Chatham, and more! Membership contributions are 100% tax deductible, so don''t hesitate to join a community of people who love Shaker history, respect the values they embodied, and are passionate about exploring how Shaker values are relevant in our modern world. Membership fees can be paid annually or in monthly installments.

In response to the Covid - 19 lockdown, Shaker Museum invited the public to participate in a community engagement project, "Call for Art: In Union, Remotely." 

Artists drew inspiration from the Shakers' values or way of life, which they learned about by exploring the Shaker Museum's comprehensive online collection. A series of Zoom gatherings invited artists to share inspiration, with presentations by artists Caitlin MacBride and Sarah Van Buren; to learn about the history of the North Family from Shaker Museum docent, Liz Poreba; and most importantly, to connect with each other during this difficult time.

More than three dozen artists digitally submitted artwork in broad variety of mediums, including video, blown glass, textiles, multimedia sculpture, and art-by-mail, as well as painting and photography. 

View In Union, Remotely by visiting shakerml.org through December 31, 2020. We are grateful for the participation and thoughtful work of all the artists who took part.

Join Peter Forward and make your own cherry candlestand, inspired by a Shaker object in our collection. The workshop will be led in a socially distant manner to ensure everyone's safety. All materials will be supplied.

Peter Forward specializes in building fine furniture and especially enjoys traditional styles. He also creates craft items inspired by the collection of the Shaker Museum, including oval boxes and other Shaker reproductions.

Please note that the workshop has limited capacity!

Join us in the vault of the Great Stone Barn at the Mount Lebanon historic site for a day of weaving on Cricket Table Looms. The scarves made in this socially distant workshop will be donated to The Second Show Community Thrift Shop in Hudson, NY.

No weaving experience necessary! Sign up for one of three time slots (10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM) available on September 19, 2020. Free to attend, registration required.

Rain Date: Sunday, September 20, 2020.

Shaker Museum is seeking an Administrative Associate who will assist senior staff during an exciting phase of organizational development, overseeing operations in a small office setting and serving as a public face of the museum, while also providing support for senior staff during a capital campaign. The successful candidate will be a tech-savvy and detail-oriented individual who will ensure all information is transferred, tracked, and logged accurately, and that the museum's message is communicated effectively via digital and traditional platforms.

The ideal candidate will have a broad skill set in office and organizational management and the ability and flexibility to handle high level tasks such as communicating the museum's message across platforms, as well as repetitive tasks such as recording donations and preparing mailings. Experience with Raiser's Edge donor database highly preferred. This position is part-time and has the possibility of becoming full-time. The Administrative Associate reports to the Deputy Director.

Please send resume and a detailed cover letter explaining your interest in the position to Lisa Malone Jackson at lmjackson@shakerml.org. 

This July, Shaker Museum celebrates its 70th anniversary. The Museum and much of the collection exists today because of the vision and efforts of founder John S. Williams, but credit is also due to the Shakers, who came to like and trust Williams but were also deeply invested in preserving their history. Read more in our latest blog post.

Did you know that a Shaker Museum membership provides special access to exhibitions and events? This summer the Museum is hosting guided discussions via Zoom, a special pop-up exhibition in Chatham, and more! Membership contributions are 100% tax deductible, so don''t hesitate to join a community of people who love Shaker history, respect the values they embodied, and are passionate about exploring how Shaker values are relevant in our modern world. Membership fees can be paid annually or in monthly installments.

Shaker Museum announced its latest exhibition Fringe Selects in collaboration with artist/designer Katie Stout opening on December 11, 2020. Through a selection of Shaker material chosen by Stout from the Museum's permanent collection, the exhibition explores the breadth of Shaker objects by taking a closer look at the objects on the "fringe"-colorful, ornamental, and less well-known than the minimalist, iconic Shaker pieces. Also on view are two new chairs by Stout created as a response to her exploration of Shaker material culture. The exhibition is presented in Shaker Museum's pop-up space located at 17 Main Street in downtown Chatham, donated by Columbia County resident, Jack Shear, and near the future home of Shaker Museum's permanent facility.

In case you missed it - in this two-part series, produced by Shaker Museum and Design Miami/, Lacy Schutz, Executive Director of Shaker Museum, talks with contemporary artists Katie Stout and Emily Adams Bode about the resonance of Shaker ideals and aesthetics in modern design, with a special acknowledgement to the feminist ideals espoused by the Shaker community.

Join the Shaker Mitten KAL for its last session! No matter your level of experience or skill, you can still become a part of this diverse group of knitters. If you haven''t registered yet, email sharding@shakermuseum.us to receive the free pattern and learn more. You can watch Shaker Museum''s KAL recordings on YouTube and see works-in-progress from participating knitters on the Ravelry Group Chat.

In this final session, we will gather on Zoom to show off completed projects and visit in small breakout rooms to hear about what will become of individual sets of mittens. As a special treat for this final meeting, we will be joined by Karen Nicholson, who grew up in Colonie, NY and explored the Shaker spaces of the Watervliet West Family Shakers as a child. Recently retired from her career as a design and construction manager, Karen studies medieval textiles and has studied knitting up through the early 20th century. Her research into 8th century spindles was published in Medieval Clothing and Textiles, Vol. 11. Karen is particularly fond of the "experimental archaeology," and learning about historical objects by trying to recreate them.

Whether you choose to order the newly restocked Shaker Mitten Knitting Kit or choose 225 yards of worsted weight and register to receive the pattern, you can knit at your own pace and participate in whatever way works for you!

Participation in the Knit-A-Long is FREE for all.

Final Event:
DECEMBER 11 | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Online Event

Shaker Museum invites the public to participate in a community engagement project, Call for Woodwork: In Union, Remotely, by creating and submitting pieces for this online showcase. All submissions should draw inspiration from the Shakers' values or way of life, which the participants can learn more about in the Shaker Museum's comprehensive online collection.

Woodworkers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are encouraged to submit clear digital images of their work by midnight on March 15, 2021. The submissions will be displayed online through the museum's social media channels from March 20, 2021 - December 31, 2021. For those interested in responding to the Call for Woodwork: In Union, Remotely, registration is available here.

Registered participants will receive special assistance in exploring the online collection, access to suggested readings, and invitations to ZOOM events to meet other wood workers to share inspiration and camaraderie. Brian Persico will speak at the orientation event on January 17, 2021 at 4:00 PM EST to talk about how the Shakers have inspired his woodworking practices and John and Wonhee Ardnt of Studio Gorm will join us on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 6:00 PM EST to talk about shaker design principles and their design work in Furnishing Utopia. Subsequent Zoom events will features participants sharing their works in progress to share advice about techniques and woodworking knowledge.

Shaker Museum is now offering a set of beautiful notecards created from our online community art project, Call for Art: In Union, Remotely. This project invited artists of all ages and abilities to explore our collection and create their own Shaker-inspired artworks. Whether contemplating the arc of the Shaker metronome or the integrity of daily tasks completed with intention, the extraordinary response demonstrated the value and impact of the Shakers' legacy. We are deeply grateful to the artists for granting permission to print and sell their work in support of the Museum. These special notecards are available for purchase and make wonderful gifts for everyone on your holiday list!

Be sure to view our Call for Art: In Union, Remotely virtual exhibition before it closes on December 31, and see the incredible works of art that were submitted.

(OLD CHATHAM, NY) May 6, 2020 - Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon invites the public to participate in a community engagement project, "Call for Art: In Union, Remotely," with artwork in a variety of mediums which must be submitted digitally. All submissions should draw inspiration from the Shakers' values or way of life, which the participants can learn more about in the Shaker Museum's comprehensive online collection. 

Feed your curiosity, and join an engaging discussion with Shaker scholars Jerry Grant and Sharon Koomler. After you register, you will receive some light reading and a recipe; the former to facilitate the conversation, and the latter to "share" while we meet!

This event will last 60 minutes and is free. A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to you upon registration.

Donations to Shaker Museum are gratefully accepted.

Note: Due to popular demand, the museum is offering "Shaker''s Duty, One to Another: A Willing Sacrifice (Thursday Edition)." This event will cover the same topics discussed at the event on Sunday, May 17.

Shaker Museum invites you to gather remotely for handcrafts and good company on Tuesdays at 12:30 PM. This group meets via ZOOM, and participants will have the opportunity to share tips and tricks about their chosen handcraft while enjoying the encouragement of fellow crafting enthusiasts. Once you register, you will be sent a link to join the virtual party. If you are not familiar with ZOOM, please contact Susie at sharding@shakerml.org for a virtual practice session before your first meeting.

I know that you had a varied career before you came to the museum.  Can you tell us a little bit about your background?
I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Forestry, then I enrolled in graduate school in Colorado State University, got a Master's degree, and then I went to work for a Forest Service. After a few years, I got another Master's degree, and I completed my residency for a PhD at Yale.  I worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for over 20 years. I got there just in time to get thoroughly embroiled in the International Biological Program effort. It was very interesting, and I met a few dozen people who became good friends.
 
What made you interested in the Shakers?
I saw some article about the Shakers, I looked at the furniture, and I said, "That is great stuff." When I worked at Oak Ridge, my wife and I would periodically tool up I-75 to where I grew up, and it turned out we were driving within 15 or 20 miles of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. We started going there, and I liked it. It stuck with me, and it sort of shaped everything I've done since I left Oak Ridge.
 
How did you come to work at the Shaker Museum? 
When I got up here and my wife Kathy was still in Tennessee, I was sort of at a loss. I started going to the Museum for special events and then volunteering at the 4^th of July Strawberry Shortcake Breakfast. I was asked if I would like to volunteer at the Museum with the curator. We cleaned and cleaned and cleaned [objects]. When I was asked if I would like to work for pay, I thought, "Gee, you know, I like Shaker furniture, and now they're going to pay me to come over!"

Do you have a favorite object from the Museum's collection? If so, why is it your favorite? 
I have numerous, depends on the day. The spool box that was made by Brother James Johnson at Canterbury has always fascinated me. I have made many, just like the original. I made it because I liked it, and because I had some colleagues and friends who were quilters. I have given a lot away. I just find the spool holder and all those little beautifully done spools so fantastic. The blue counter from Canterbury is my favorite large object. But, you know, I can walk through there and decide - okay, today, this is my favorite object; tomorrow will be different.
 
Do you have any fun projects planned now that you're retired? 
I've got lots of plans, and if I live long enough, I might actually start on some of them [laughter]. When the Museum held the Orren Haskins exhibit in the 1990s, somebody decided that they would like to have some object in the exhibition that people could actually touch. There was this desk (currently in the collection at Hancock Shaker Village), and I made one just exactly like it to put in the exhibit. When I built the desk for the museum, I cut out wood for two other ones: not exact reproductions, but rather my versions of the original. I still have all the parts for a curly maple one. And now I know what I'm going to do with it - I'm going to build that thing, and if it turns out halfway decent, I'm going to give it to the Museum to auction off at the Gala next summer!

This  app was produced by Behold! New Lebanon for the Shaker Museum in 2018.

On May 19, 1780, the skies over New England and New York darkened for a full day. In the preceding days, the sun and moon had appeared red-tinted, and by noon of May 19, the sky was nearly dark as night. It was known as "The Dark Day."

This month, the Shaker Museum is offering two ways to join our community by helping our neighbors. In May, the Museum is offering a free Household membership to anyone who donates $100 or more to either the New Lebanon Farmers' Market "Market Match" Program or to the Regional Foodbank of Northeastern New York.

The Market Match program uses donated funds to double the dollars of benefits that shoppers spend when they are using SNAP, WIC, or Senior Market Nutrition Program Benefits at the New Lebanon Farmers' Market. This program not only supports our neighbors by doubling their access to fresh local food, but also supports the critical local farms who continue to grow fruits and vegetables right here in the Hudson Valley. To donate to the Market Match Program use this link and include the PROMO code "SHAKERGIFTS" in the notes section. You will receive your free Household Membership automatically.

Donations to the Regional Food Bank support not only Charlie's Pantry in New Lebanon and the Chatham Area Silent Pantry, but also other small local foodbanks throughout our region. Because much of the food supply for these small organizations usually comes from the restaurant and commercial food industry, they have been particularly affected by this crisis. To donate to the Regional Foodbank, click here and then forward your confirmation email to sharding@shakerml.org to collect your free Household Membership.

If you have already purchased a Shaker Museum membership for the year, feel free to donate using the links above and gift your additional Shaker Museum Membership to a friend. Email our Membership and Program Coordinator, Susie Harding at sharding@shakerml.org to make those arrangements.

Join us on Zoom for an engaging introduction to the Shakers, designed for those who don''t know much about the Shakers but want to learn more. Shaker scholar Sharon Koomler and Shaker Museum''s Director of Collections & Research Jerry Grant will separate fact from myth and bring the Shaker legacy to life with accurate information and real-life stories documented in our comprehensive online collection.

After registration, you will be invited to submit two or three questions about the Shakers, which will be answered during the discussion. A short packet of readings and images will be sent to you ahead of time, including a Shaker recipe so that we can enjoy a snack "together."

If you''re working on your submission for the Shaker Museum''s community art project, "In Union, Remotely," or if you''re thinking about participating but still need more inspiration, we encourage you to join this meeting to have your Shaker-related questions answered by Liz Poreba, a knowledgeable Shaker Museum docent.

This meeting is also an opportunity to meet other artists and share thoughts and ideas about the project. Once again, we are looking forward to uniting with our community, remotely!

You will receive the link to the Zoom meeting upon registration.

The bell sounded at 11:30 AM on Friday, February 5, 1875, just before the Shakers were called to dinner. As the bell continued to toll, they realized it signified fire rather than the meal. As Sister Anna Dodgson described it in a journal kept by the Church Family deaconesses, "the first signal for dinner continued to peal its notes and soon the appalling cry of Fire!!! startled every nerve and sent the blood in a distracted counter course through the system." The fire began in the structure that housed the Sisters' Shop and woodshed, but quickly spread to the nearby dwelling known as the Great House. Many began removing as much as they could of clothing, bedding, and other articles. The scene quickly became chaotic as the fire spread. Then, as Sister Anna wrote, "Next the frightful cry, 'Leave the Building, every person, or your life is lost.'"