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In 1774, a Small Group Left Manchester, England and Arrived in New York In 1774, a small group left Manchester, England and entire families. Some joined because they truly arrived in New York City fleeing religious persecution. believed in Shaker values and teachings while oth- They were led by an illiterate textile worker named ers saw it is an alternative to complete destitution. Ann Lee. In 1776, the group, known derisively as the Orphaned children were often raised within the Shaking Quakers, leased a parcel of land near Albany community, and some elected to remain and be- and established a communal religious society. Offi- come Shakers once grown. The Shakers’ population The Watervliet Shaker cemetery is sacred to the Shakers and Shaker Heritage Society visitors alike. cially known as the United Society of Believers in steadily increased throughout the early 19th cen- Four hundred and forty five Shakers were laid to Christ’s Second Appearance, they eventually became tury, reaching a height of 6,000 members through- rest here, including Mother Ann Lee and a number known simply as the Shakers. out all of their communities in 1850. of other influential Shakers. Lee, her brother William, and one other believer were originally The land the Shakers chose was originally known by The next decades saw a decrease in Shaker popula- interred further north on land leased to the Shak- the local Native American name Niskayuna, a refer- tions. Increased industrialization ensured that the ers. In 1835, the Shakers decided to move the ence to extensive corn fields in the area. The town of disadvantaged had more vocational options in urban graves to their present location, to the cemetery Watervliet, Dutch for Water Flood, originally encom- factories. The opening of the West offered more that they owned and had used since 1785. passed much of present day Albany County. The set- affordable land to farm. The Civil War disrupted tlement has since been known as both the Niskayuna the religious fervor that had gripped the country and Watervliet Shaker Community, as well as Wis- during earlier revivals. Fewer men joined, leaving dom’s Valley, its Shaker name. older women and orphaned children to support large communities. Settlements that once concen- The Shakers were Christians who believed that the trated primarily on agricultural endeavors re- Christ Spirit could dwell within anyone who led a pure focused their efforts to more accessible enter- life, consisting of confession of sins, celibacy, commu- prises. In the nineteenth century, the Shaker orchards nal ownership of property, pacifism and the avoidance were larger and provided food for the community. of worldly influences. The group also believed in racial The Church Family closed its doors in 1925. Albany Extra fruit was sold to the world’s people in vari- and sexual equality, honesty, devotion to industry and County purchased the land from the Shakers soon ous forms. Apples were made into cider, sauce, perfection. after. Some buildings became part of the prevento- pies, or were dried for later use. A few Shaker trees remain and other historic varieties have rium, a facility to house children considered at risk been planted recently. Ann Lee and her followers slowly transformed the for Tuberculosis. Later, the county built the Ann swampy, wooded landscape into fertile farm land. As Lee Nursing Home, named in honor of the Shaker more converts joined, the settlement divided into four leader. Over the next few years, buildings that economically separate sub-communities known as the were in disrepair or deemed unnecessary were de- Church, North, South and West Families. molished and remaining structures were adapted with porches and dormer windows. In 1780, Lee and a number of fellow Shakers travelled throughout New England to acquire converts. They Although the number of Shakers has declined over The garden contains 100 different varieties of were viewed with suspicion since they preached very the past century, the Shaker faith is still alive today herbs planted and used by the Shakers. They were well known for their herbal products and sold to unusual beliefs and many were eager to drive the en- at the Sabbathday Lake Settlement in Maine. The physicians and merchants throughout the United igmatic and spirited Ann Lee from their communities. Shaker Heritage Society was established in 1977 to States. Shaker herb gardens were extensive, often Mob violence erupted and Lee was kidnapped, sustain- preserve the buildings and history of the Watervliet with one variety planted over several acres of ing a number of injuries. Accounts suggest that she Shaker Community for future generations. Albany land. never fully recovered from her wounds and she died in County still owns the site and leases a portion of it 1784. to the Society. The Shakers continued to bring in more converts. Other communities were established throughout the eastern United States. Under the leadership of Lucy Wright, James Whitaker and other effective Elders, the sect steadily grew. Many individuals joined, as did The Shakers built this barn only 10 years before the Church Family was closed due to declining member- ship. It replaced one that had burned two years before. This efficient and technologically advanced building is innovative in its use of roof ventilators and lightning rods to prevent catastrophic fires. The Shakers also utilized a highly functional system to collect and distribute manure for the fields. An overhead track supported a rolling cart that trans- ported manure from the dairy barn to the storage The Shakers built this structure to accommodate an shed. increasing Shaker population and replace the smaller 1792 Meeting House. Built-in benches pro- vided seating for the visitors who attended the weekly worship services. The Shakers opened their doors to the world’s people (the term used to refer to anyone not a Shaker) to encourage new converts, but many who attended were simply curious. The style of the building showcases the Shakers’ The Shakers frequently adapted existing buildings as architectural preferences and religious values. Sym- needs changed. This building is one example of this metrical windows and subdued color palate illus- practice. Originally built as an herb drying house, it trate the simplicity highly valued in the Shaker was an integral part of the herbal industry in the faith. On the north end of the building are three Watervliet Shaker community. When a henhouse doors. Sisters entered through the left door, the was needed in the early 20th century, the building Brethren through the right. Each door led directly was modified. Upon their purchase of the property to a shoe room, where the Believers could change This building housed workshops for the men of the com- This building provided workspace for the Shaker Elders. in the 1920s, Albany County converted the building their shoes and garments prior to worship. Commu- munity. Shops for shoemaker , tailors and broom mak- The primary vocations of the Ministry were shoemak- into a creamery, using water from Shaker Creek to nity elders entered through the center door to go ers were located on the first floor. Another room was ing, tailoring, woodworking and basket making. Every- cool dairy products. directly up the stairway to their second floor living set aside as a dentist office throughout much of the one in the Shaker community worked, whether a child quarters. 19th century. A date stone located in the basement or an elder. An addition was built in 1852 and was reads: This house built by Brustern & Allen, Master Ma- used as a workshop by Shaker furniture makers. The sons, 1822. This structure is the oldest Shaker building screened porches were added to the building by Albany remaining on the Church Family grounds. County during the 1930s. Laundry was a very important task in a community This is the most recently constructed Shaker build- that housed many people. Not only did clothing ing in the community. It was built to store and pro- need washing, but bedclothes, towels and table lin- tect the two Packard automobiles the Shakers pur- ens also required regular cleaning. An industrial This was the building where select Brethren and Sisters, Education was highly valued by 19th century Shakers. chased to transport the Sisters and Brethren. The size washing machine, a Shaker innovation, was used known as trustees, conducted business with the outside Many of the Sisters and Brethren who chose to teach Shakers never avoided technological advances that in this building. Foods were canned and dried in a world. Throughout its history, the Office housed a din- became New York State certified teachers. Boys at- could save time and energy. The introduction of western wing that was demolished in 1928. The ing room, basement kitchen, post office, retail shop and tended school in the winter while girls went in the vehicles to the community made the Shakers less current three-bay garage addition was constructed living quarters for the trustees. Guests also sometimes summer. This allowed boys to help plant and harvest dependent on horses and oxen for draft labor and by the County by 1930. stayed in this building while visiting the Shakers. crops during the warmer months. transportation. .
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