New Lebanon Shaker Village

New Lebanon Shakers--North Family and South Family

This Shaker Village actually had 8 different families but the largest were the North Family, South Family and Church family.  The North Family buildings now belong to the Darrow School and only a couple of them are open to the public.  The other buildings house students, faculty and classrooms.   In time the Shaker Heritage Foundation hopes to move their collections to this location and make it the central Shaker Location. 

This is the 2nd Meeting House built on this location.  This building was completed in 1824  it is now the Darrow School Library

 

 

 

The Great Stone Barn

It is the largest stone barn in the country measuring in length 196 feet and rising over 4 stories.  It took only 18 months to complete and the stones came right off the property.  The building was set afire by an arsonist in 1972.  The Shaker Heritage just received a 2 million dollar grant to stabilize the walls.  There are ongoing efforts to restore the barn to its former glory. 

 

These two pictures show what it looked like in the 1880's

 

 

 

 

 Inside the Washroom which was the only building we were allowed to enter

 

Another Barn above

 

The South Family

The South Family was begun by John Bishop in 1783 whom I am descended from.  Today the properties are owned by the Abode of the Message a Sufi Religious order so I was unable to go in to any of the buildings. 

 The South Family was known for the Shaker Chairs and Furniture.  John Bishop was a carpenter.

 The South Family Barn, now private offices

 John Bishop's house still stands

 Another view of John Bishop's House

 Beautiful and peaceful scenery.  I am facing east towards Hancock Shaker Village just a few miles away.