Enfield Shaker Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Enfield Shaker Historic District
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The Great Stone Dwelling, Mary Keane Chapel and West Brethren Shop (right to left)
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| Location | NH Route 4A, Enfield, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 1,235 acres (500 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000198 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1979 |
| Community | Enfield Shaker Village, New Hampshire |
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| Dates | 1793-1923 |
| Bishopric | Canterbury |
| Spiritual name | Chosen Vale |
| Families | Church, North, South |
| Maximum population | 297 in 1840 |
The Enfield Shaker Museum is a special outdoor museum in Enfield, New Hampshire. It helps us learn about the Shakers, a unique religious group. They lived on this land from 1793 to 1923. The museum shows off their history with old buildings, tools, and beautiful gardens. It sits in a lovely valley between Mount Assurance and Mascoma Lake.
One of the most amazing buildings here is the Great Stone Dwelling. It was the biggest home north of Boston and the largest building ever built by the Shakers. After the Shakers left, much of their land was sold to the Missionaries of La Salette. Today, the state of New Hampshire owns 28 acres and 13 buildings, which is now the Enfield Shaker Museum.
Contents
The Shakers and Their Village
A New Home in Enfield
The Shakers, also known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, moved to this spot in 1793. They settled near Mascoma Lake on about 1200 acres of land. They quickly built a meetinghouse in May 1793 and a home in 1794. Later, they built many buildings using strong granite stone. Their building methods were very advanced for the time! By 1803, there were 132 Shaker members. By 1840, almost 300 people lived in the village.
The Great Stone Dwelling
The Great Stone Dwelling was the biggest building in the village. It was also the largest home north of Boston. It was built between 1837 and 1841 for the Church Family, one of the Shaker groups. This huge building had four full floors, but it actually had six levels in total! Men and women lived in the building, but they used separate doors and lived in different areas.
A famous architect named Ammi Burnham Young designed this building. He also designed the second state capitol building in Vermont. Stonemasons from Boston built the granite walls and slate roof. The Shaker brothers themselves built the rest of the building.
Village Life and Decline
In 1849, the Shakers built a half-mile long bridge. This "Shaker Bridge" crossed a narrow part of Lake Mascoma to reach the railroad line. In 1870, they built the Ministry shop. This building had fancy Victorian and Shaker styles. It was home to the community's religious leaders.
To earn money, the Shakers made many useful items. They created brooms, buckets, spinning wheels, and shirts. They also grew and sold applesauce, maple syrup, herbs, medicines, and seeds.
Like other Shaker villages, the Enfield community slowly became smaller in the late 1800s. In 1923, they closed the Enfield Shaker village. The remaining members moved to the Canterbury Shaker Village in central New Hampshire.
In 1927, much of the village property was sold to the La Salettes. Today, the site is known as the Enfield Shaker Historic District on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
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The Brethren Stone Shop
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The Laundry and Dairy buildings
The Museum Today
Since 1986, the Enfield Shaker Museum has worked hard to save the Shaker history of the site. They also share the village's story from the 1900s. The Great Stone Dwelling now holds the gift shop and the main exhibit area.
The museum is open every day. You can take tours of the site to learn more. You can even stay overnight in the original Shaker bedrooms in the Great Stone Dwelling!
There are 13 Shaker village buildings and gardens still standing on 28 acres. You can explore them on a self-guided walking tour. The state of New Hampshire owns this special village museum.
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The Great Stone Dwelling is where the museum, exhibits, rooms for overnight stays, and the gift shop are located.
Missionaries of La Salette
In 1927, the site was sold to the Missionaries of La Salette. They were a Catholic religious group. They turned the village into a school for priests and a place for meetings. In 1930, the La Salettes built the Mary Keane Chapel. This beautiful chapel has a neo-classical revival style. It is now part of the museum and visitors can see it.
The Missionaries of La Salette closed their school in 1974. The center is now called the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. It is known as a place for "reconciliation."
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The Mary Keane Chapel
Images for kids
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The Church Family Trustees' Office with a carriage in front, around 1890. This is at the Enfield Shaker Village, New Hampshire.
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The Shaker Bridge in 1889.
