Mz. Huby's History and Genie Journeys: Watervliet Shaker Village

Watervliet Shaker Village

This the first Shaker Village established in the 1780's by Mother Ann Lee. Shakers are a religious organization that live a communal life. Due to space constraints I won't detail the tenets of their faith but they believe in simple living, selflessness and work. "Hands to Work, Heart to God" is their motto. The Watervliet community was purchased by Albany County in the 1920's and they razed nearly all the buildings that were not useful to them. Albany County still owns the property today and only leases a couple of the buildings to the Shaker Heritage Organization. All the buildings are in desperate need of restoration, but, since the county owns them, the Heritage Society is unable to apply for grants to fund the projects.

This picture reflects the village in the 1880's

The Trustees Building where the Trustees lived and conducted business with the "Worlds People"

The County converted it to a sanatorium, then a mental hospital which is why many of the windows have bars on them.

The Brethren Workshop which became another County office building

The Wash Room and Cannery. Each Shaker Village specialized in a particular economic activity and canning and seeding occurred here.

The Ministry Workshop but then the County converted it in to a home for the Nurses who worked the hospitals.

Another view of the Wash House

The Drying House where the Shakers dried all their herbs and flowers they grew and collected. They also created the paper packages to sell seeds.

The Great Barn. Every Shaker Community has a huge barn of some sort. This Shaker Community, in addition to agriculture pursuits, was well renowned for its Broom Making business.

Spinning and weaving tools

A finished Flat Broom.

During the difficult economic times throughout the 1700 and 1800's families would indenture their children to the Shaker Communities, and while that sounds horrible it actually was beneficial. The Children would learn valuable life skills, would have to go to school and get up to an 8th grade education, were well fed, nurtured and cared for. Their parents could visit at any time.

The School Building. The County has abandoned the building but will not allow the Heritage Society to claim the building and now you can see that vines and weeds are growing inside it and deteriorating the interior.

Original Shaker fence that has a slanted top rail to prevent ice buildup. The background is the apple orchard.

Original Meeting House is open to the public. The acoustics are amazing and we sang Shaker songs.

Shaker Cemetery

Mother Ann Lee. This is not her original burial spot. She was disinterred from her original resting place and interred here. Her body was re-examined when dis interred and it was noticed that her skull had many fractures and several bones still bore the signs of breaks and abuses she endured while alive.