Tyringham Shaker Settlement Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Tyringham Shaker Settlement Historic District
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1968 photo by Jack E. Boucher
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tyringham, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1792 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001785 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1987 |
The Tyringham Shaker Settlement Historic District was once a special village where a group called the Shakers lived. It was located on Jerusalem Road in Tyringham, Massachusetts. The Shakers were a unique religious community known for their simple lifestyle and hard work.
In their village, they had buildings like mills and workshops. Over time, fewer Shakers lived there. Before the American Civil War, their numbers started to drop. By the 1870s, the remaining Shakers moved to other villages. Some went to Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts. Others moved to Enfield Shakers Village in Connecticut.
In 1874, the Shakers traded their property. They gave it to a doctor from New York City, Joseph Jones. He used the land as a summer getaway called "Fernside." Later, it became a place where people could stay for the summer. In 1889, the land was sold again to the Tyringham Forest Club. Today, much of the area is farmland.
This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This means it is a special place recognized for its history.
Contents
The Shaker Village History
The Shaker community started their village in 1792. It grew and became very successful. At its peak, the community owned more than 2,000 acres (about 809 hectares) of land. This land was in Tyringham and nearby towns.
The main part of the village was on William Clark's farmstead. This was located on Jerusalem Road. There was also a smaller settlement about 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers) north.
Buildings and Life
The Shakers were known for their skills. They built many different kinds of buildings. Besides their homes and worship areas, they had mills and workshops. They even built a furnace. These buildings helped them live and work together.
The number of people living in the settlement began to get smaller. This happened in the years before the American Civil War. In 1858, 23 people left the community. This made the village decline even faster. By the 1870s, the last Shakers from Tyringham moved away. They joined other Shaker communities. These included villages in Hancock, Massachusetts and Enfield, Connecticut.
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Shaker settlement, Tyringham, Massachusetts
What Happened After the Shakers Left?
In 1874, the Shakers made a property trade. They exchanged their land with Dr. Joseph Jones. He was a doctor from New York City. The Shakers were interested in a property he owned in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Jones used the Tyringham property as a summer retreat. He called it "Fernside." Eventually, he turned it into a summer boarding house. People could come and stay there for their vacations.
In 1889, Dr. Jones sold the property. It was bought by other people from New York. They created a group called the Tyringham Forest Club. This club was successful for only a short time. A few years later, the property was sold again at an auction. Since then, many different people have owned the land. Today, it is used as a farm once more.
Why is it a Historic Place?
The buildings that remain in the district show different styles of architecture. These include Greek Revival, Italianate style, and Federal style. These styles were popular during different times in history.
The Tyringham Shaker Settlement Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This listing helps protect important historical places. It makes sure their history is remembered and preserved for the future.
