THE WATERVLIET SHAKER JOURNAL SHAKER HERITAGE SOCIETY

AMERICA’S FIRST SHAKER SETTLEMENT

SPRING 2019

VOL 39 NO 1

25 Meeting House Road Albany, NY 12211 www.shakerheritage.org 518.456.7890

At an April reception, SHS staff, volunteers, and

board members had the pleasure of seeing a

number of Shaker Heritage Society (SHS) collection

pieces placed in a new context, the Everyday

Perfection exhibit at the Albany International

Airport Gallery. The exhibit juxtaposes Shaker

textile tools with the work of eight contemporary

artists. The idea for the exhibit grew from

conversations curator Kathy Greenwood had with

artist Elana Herzog, former SHS director Starlyn

D’Angelo and former SHS Education Coordinator

Michelle Arthur. Ms. Greenwood explains, “Those

discussions opened a pathway to a broader

examination of how Shaker textile traditions and

contemporary artists’ inclinations might intersect.”

In preparation for their work, artists had the

opportunity to study collections at the Shaker

Museum | Mount Lebanon, pieces of which are

also included in the exhibit. Interpretations of the

Shakers’ textile legacy are realized in a wide variety

of approaches and media. The historic tools

themselves reflect a range of processes required in

textile production, and a few of the items may not

be familiar to modern viewers. As noted in the

catalog: “The relations to labor as a devotional

process is common to both Shakers and artists of

many disciplines. Shakers sought nearness to

divine spirit through work that was necessary,

relentless, and achieved through concentrated

effort. Among artists, labor also serves as a

transcendent purpose—the production of objects

and experiences that reflect and expand upon

human perception.”

One artist, Brece Honeycutt, uses the scale of the

airport itself to bring home the sheer volume of

textiles produced by Shakers. The 1836 Church

Family Journal reports that, among a long list of

textiles produced for the year, Sisters spun 696

“runs” of tow and linen. A run equaled 1,600 yards.

Honeycutt calculates that the linen thread

produced that year was 393 times the length of the

airport’s runway number one.

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL

AIRPORT GALLERY EXPLORES

EVERYDAY PERFECTION

One of the SHS pieces on display is a hinged, wooden pattern used for cutting fabric for boys’ shirts. It is paired with a wooden pants pattern in the exhibit.

Kathy Greenwood will lead a tour of the exhibit

for SHS on Thursday, July 11th at 5:30 pm.

Participants are encouraged to park at SHS and

either walk or carpool to the airport. Space is

limited, and pre-registration is requested at

518-456-7890 or educator@shakerheritage.org.

The exhibit is open until September 2, 2019.

The gallery is on the third floor of the main

terminal, before the security checkpoint, and

open from 7am-11pm daily. Visitors’ parking

tickets will be validated at the gallery.

THE WATERVLIET

SHAKER JOURNAL

Edited by

Johanna Batman

Lorraine Weiss

Published by the

SHAKER HERITAGE SOCIETY

Shaker Meeting House

25 Meeting House Road

Albany, NY 12211-1051

518. 456.7890

www.shakerheritage.org

director@shakerheritage.org

Board of Trustees

Jessica Ansert Klami, President

Rebecca Haizmann, Vice President

Judy Disco, Treasurer

Maureen Bigness, Secretary

Terence Curran, Past President

Linda Allen, PhD

Pilar Arthur Snead

Michael Bates

Maureen Bigness

Willard Bruce

Mark Castiglione

Stephen Iachetta

Meredith Rice

David Rowley

Ex. Officio

Hon. Daniel McCoy Hon. Paula Mahan

Dawn McHale, Membership Secretary

Rebecca Langer, Master gardener

Staff

Johanna Batman, Executive Director

Miriam Cantor-Stone,

Volunteer Coordinator

Jackie Davis, Gift Shop

and Craft Fair Manager

Larry Graudons, Maintenance

Candis Murray PhD, Program Associate

Kimberly Spath, Bookkeeper

Lorraine Weiss, Education Coordinator

From the Director

What drives people to volunteer? The

answers are as diverse as the people who

serve. Yet, as fewer and fewer Americans opt

in, the question has become more pressing

for nonprofits. Many museums and historical

societies like SHS would simply cease to exist

without the time, talent, and energy that

volunteers pour into their work. This is a particularly poignant challenge

for SHS, given the communal values of the Shakers themselves.

In his book Bowling Alone, Robert Putnum described the decline of

social networks in America from 1980-2000. During that time-frame, he

documented a 43% drop in shared family meals, a 35% drop in inviting

friends over for a visit, and a whopping 58% drop in participation in club

meetings. The result? We know fewer people, trust fewer people, feel

less empowered and less engaged in civic life both locally and nationally.

Simultaneously, “relevance” has become a buzz word in the museum

community. How do institutions stay relevant in the digital age? How do

they attract new audiences and avoid becoming obsolete in the eyes of

the coveted “Millennial” generation? The answer, perhaps, lies in social

networks.

I had the pleasure of participating in several volunteer events so far this

year. The first was a brainstorming session in January to identify topics

for a new series of outdoor exhibit panels. Twenty volunteers and staff

spent two hours exchanging ideas and identifying themes, facts, and

questions. The second event was a training session in March, where we

reviewed policies and procedures, but also discussed our experiences

and exchanged knowledge about Shaker history, and enjoyed lunch

together after. While both meetings were scheduled and structured, it

was also social, and even fun! The third was our “Hands To Work Day” in

April which was a great success thanks to a stalwart crew who ignored

the wind and cold rain. (More about that on page 6.)

At all these events, I came away buoyed by the sense of belonging. The

feeling that you are a part of a community, a part of something bigger

than yourself, is an addictive sensation. Organizations like SHS can help

regrow our social networks by creating spaces for shared experience,

interest, and activity. If we create the space, people will fill that space

with life. What could be more Shaker than that?

THANK YOU for making our Annual Appeal a success. Inspired by a

private donation that established a $10,000 match, our board,

members, and donors contributed nearly $11,000 to meet that amount

and more. We are deeply grateful, and, as you will see in the following

pages, SHS will be using your support to work towards a number of

important goals.

WATERVLIET SHAKER JOURNAL SPRING 2019 Vol. 39

3

Come Sing in Our House!

On a rather chilly night in February, fifteen

members of the Albany Sacred Harp Singers visited

the Meeting House for a special singing session.

Seated in a square that reflected their four-part, a

cappella harmonies, they managed to fill the space

as though there were 50 voices in the room. The

singers thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to sing

in an historic setting with outstanding acoustics.

SHS staff were enjoying the marvelous sound from

the second floor of the building, and were inspired

to create a program on the spot--one that would

provide other groups with the experience of

singing in the Meeting House. “Come Sing In Our

House!” is intended for informal sessions or a

weekly choir practice.

Between March and mid-October, the Meeting

House will be available by arrangement, free of

charge, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

evenings, barring any prior programs scheduled.

Other times may be available. If you or someone

you know is involved in a singing group or choir

that may be interested in using our historic space,

please contact Lorraine Weiss for further details at

educator@shakerheritage.org or 518-456-7890.

In the meantime, if you are interested in learning

more about Sacred Harp singing, also known as

shape note singing, you will find information about

the Albany Sacred Harp Singers at

www.albanysacredharp.org. Their weekly sessions

in Schenectady are “open to newcomers, all ages,

all voices, and all levels of musical (in)experience.”

In The Museum Shop

If you are looking for a unique gift, you will find a

number of new products at the Shaker Heritage

Society Museum Shop, including a new children's

section where you will be able to find gardening

tools, hand puppets, and kits to paint your own

birdhouse, bug house or flower pot.

Your purchases will be rung up on new cash

registers, made possible by a private donation.

Shaker Heritage Society is grateful that we were

able to replace registers that were a bit historic

themselves. The new registers will help us with

inventory and other administrative tasks.

As always, we thank our dedicated crew who

volunteer in the shop each week.

Starlyn D’Angelo Honored

The Museum Association of New York’s Award of

Merit for Individual Achievement is given to

devoted staff and volunteers who are instrumental

in moving their organizations forward over a

sustained period. At their April, 2019 annual

conference in Cooperstown, MANY recognized

Starlyn D’Angelo “for the volume and scope of

work she completed in her tenure as Executive

Director, her tireless motivation and significant

achievements at the Shaker Heritage Shaker

Heritage Society that will

have lasting benefits for

generations to come.”

Star continues to support

SHS programs, and

recently taught a workshop

on preserving family

heirlooms.

WATERVLIET SHAKER JOURNAL SPRING 2019 Vol. 39

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Workshops

Shaker Heritage Society workshops are suitable for

ages 14 and up. No experience is needed unless

otherwise indicated. Workshop fees include the

cost of materials. Please bring your own lunch

when a lunch break is indicated. Basket workshops

are taught by Sandy Salada, who often

demonstrates the process at our craft fairs.

If your weekends are too busy, note that one

basket workshop is planned for a Wednesday.

There are more classes and programs being

planned, and we would like to hear about your

interests and preferences, particularly if you would

like more weekday sessions.

For more information or to register, contact

Lorraine Weiss at educator@shakerheritage.org or

518-456-7890, x 3. You can also register online via

Eventbrite.

Pie/Casserole Basket Weaving

NEW!

WEDNESDAY, June 26

10:00 am – 3:30 pm

$50 ($45 SHS Members)

This 12 by 12 inch basket is just the

right size to carry your favorite pie or casserole dish. The

basket has an open bottom woven in natural and your

choice of dyed reed with an oak handle. Optional

wrapped handle if time permits. Choose navy, dark

green, red, burgundy or brown at time of registration.

Session includes lunch break.

Indian Corn Swag Workshop NEW! Saturday, August 10 10:00 am – 2:30 pm $50 ($45 SHS Members) This “squirrel proof” Indian Corn Swag is woven with variegated dyed reed over a foam mold. Participants

will make 3 “ears” of corn with a choice of fall accents and a bow. Session includes lunch break.

Calligraphy Workshop with Libby Lee Saturday, August 10, 1:00 pm—4:00 pm $30 ($25 SHS Members) Try your hand at the true art of texting! Artist Libby Lee

will guide you through the steps of creating eye-catching

script using felt tip pens.

Landscape Painting Class Saturday, September 21 10:30am – 12:30pm $45 ($40 SHS Members) Instructor Noreen Powell will teach you to draw inspiration from Nature and create your own masterpiece featuring a scenic view on the historic Shaker Heritage site. The class is for beginning and intermediate painters.

Roll/Counter Basket NEW! Saturday, September 28 10:00 am – 3:30 pm $50 ($45 SHS Members)* This pretty, multi-use basket is

perfect for serving rolls and bread or as a handy basket

on the counter. The basket begins with an oak base,

woven in natural and multi colored dyed reed with a

sturdy rim and optional leather handles. Your choice of

reed colors: black/gray/brown, blue/red/brown, or red/

green/brown. *Fee includes basic materials, the

optional leather handles are $5 additional. Session

includes lunch break.

Woven Holiday Ornaments Saturday, November 9 and December 14 Each workshop will feature a different set of three

ornaments that will be completed by the end of the

class. Details will be available at

www.shakerheritage.org.

Right: Libby Lee works with SHS Volunteer Beth Dorn during a recent workshop on Shaker Chair taping. Beth and her daughter, Christine Dorn, taped two chairs that they donated for SHS visitors to use.

WATERVLIET SHAKER JOURNAL SPRING 2019 Vol. 39

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Summer Residents Return One of the pleasures of working at SHS is that we

learn something new every day. Recently, Bob

Reilly (former board president, long-time member,

supporter, volunteer, and supplier/manager of our

site’s fauna) informed us that three cows qualify as

a small herd. We have no reason to argue.

We can now proudly announce that the SHS Cattle

Herd has returned to their summer pasture! Three

dark bovine beauties, of the rare Irish Kerry breed,

have taken up residence in the pasture between

the Trustees Office and Ann Lee Preserve. Tralee

(the one with horns), is owned by Bob and will turn

3 this year. Stop by and say hello to the girls next

time you are here.

There are also new chicken coops on the site,

complete with new residents. These are heirloom

breeds—look for information about them near the

coops. We appreciate everything Mr. Reilly does to

connect our site with its important agricultural

heritage. He is aided by volunteers Marc Platt and

Ricky Russell.

Focus on the Old

Shaker Mill Pond

SHS is working with staff at the Albany County

Office of Natural Resource Conservation and the

Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District

to highlight the connection between the Ann Lee

Nature Preserve and the Shaker’s Church Family

site. What is now known as Ann Lee Pond was the

Mill Pond, dredged by the Shakers for the

construction of a mill that was completed in 1812.

In addition to providing water power for the saw

and grist mill and other machinery, such as the

press for printing seed labels, the pond was a

source of ice harvested in the winter. The Shakers

also fished at the pond and gathered a variety of

plants in the area. The same natural bounty that

served the Shaker community for over 100 years

now attracts a variety of visitors who hike,

snowshoe, bird watch, and fish.

While many SHS visitors recall skating at Ann Lee

Pond years ago, a good number of people who

attend craft fairs and other events are unaware of

the Nature Preserve that is located nearby. At the

same time, many of the walkers, hikers, and birders

who frequent the Nature Preserve do not know

about the pond’s history and have not visited the

Shaker site. In order to educate all visitors to both

sites, SHS and Albany County partners will update

and expand interpretive materials on the natural

and historic resources of the Ann Lee Pond. Trail

guides and signs will support guided tours and

other programs in the future.

Do you have a special memory of Ann Lee Pond? Please send your anecdotes and photos to educator@shakerheritage.org.

Left: A detail of David Austin Buckingham’s 1838 Map of the “Village Called the Church Family” shows the mill building and Mill Pond. (Courtesy New York State Museum)

WATERVLIET SHAKER JOURNAL SPRING 2019 Vol. 39

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Hands to Work First, our sincere apologies to Priscilla Johnson, who

was accidentally not included in the volunteer list in

December’s newsletter. Secondly, Steve O’Connor

was the unnamed member in the photo of the

Shaker Heritage Society board of directors.

We welcome two new volunteers: Shelia Cutler

who has signed on for garden work, and Judy

Turullo, who is assisting with research. SHS also

welcomes Miriam Cantor-Stone as

our new Volunteer Coordinator.

She will lead our efforts in

recruitment, orientation, training,

and recognition for SHS volunteers.

She’s also busy with our social

media. Miriam contacted SHS last October after

moving to the Albany area. Having studied the

Shakers at Mount Holyoke College, she was

interested in volunteering. She has previously

worked and volunteered for several academic and

non-profit institutions. Miriam took on a variety of

tasks at SHS, working on research, documenting and

organizing historic photographs, and helping with

tours. In fact, she will continue to volunteer one day

a week in addition to working in her new position.

Education Coordinator Lorraine Weiss and Miriam

Cantor-Stone are planning monthly volunteer “tea

talks.” The first two were on the role of women in

Shaker Society and the history reflected by the

Shaker Cemetery. On June 20th we plan to tour

West Family site buildings.

The Albany County Soil and Water Conservation

District sponsors the rain garden located behind

the Brethren’s Workshop,. They will soon be

replenishing the plants and restoring the garden.

We will need a volunteer or two to help maintain

this demonstration garden.

SHS hopes to schedule guided site tours on

Saturdays and will also need guides to help with

school and other group tours in the coming year.

Contact Miriam Cantor-Stone if you are interested:

volunteer@shakerheritage.org.

Shaker Heritage

Society leases 5 of the

9 structures that comprise the Church Family site. A new

series of Hands to Work volunteer days are helping us

partner with property owner Albany County to maintain

and enhance this important historic resource and tourist

destination. Despite cold and wet weather served up on

April 27th, the first HTW Day was a success.

Conservator C.R. Jones traveled from Cooperstown with

his wife, Susan, to train SHS volunteers in the process of

cleaning gravestones. Robert Beck, Miriam Cantor-Stone,

and Diane Dugan cautiously removed lichen and grime

from stones to reveal names and dates.

Colonie Rotary Club members Chungchin Chen, Jim

Faddegon, and Kirk and Bonita Pogge attacked the wild

overgrowth along Shaker Creek along with Northeast

Woodworkers Association (NWA) member Mary

Gillespie. Garden “buds” Becky Langer, Janet Nardolillo,

and Elaine Sacco worked on the herb garden and

restored the entrance garden. NWA members also

repaired the

bridge across

Shaker Creek.

Jim Maczeck

and John

Person rebuilt a

fence, and

board members

Bill Bruce and

Linda Allen

joined Johanna

Batman to

improve the

view behind

the Laundry/

Wash House.

WATERVLIET SHAKER JOURNAL SPRING 2019 Vol. 39

7

SHAKER HERITAGE SOCIETY

CRAFT FAIR

JULY 13 – 14 and

SEPTEMBER 14 - 15 10 AM – 4 PM

Rain or Shine

Over 75 Artisans and Vendors

Craft Demonstrations • Tours • Family Activities

Food • Live Music -- Both Days

Pony Rides and Petting Zoo on Sunday

$4.00 per person

SHS Members, Veterans, & Children under 12 FREE

FREE Parking

Proceeds to benefit the Shaker Heritage Society

America’s First Shaker Settlement

www.shakerheritage.org 518-456-7890, ext. 5

25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY 12211

July Craft Show

Museum Shop and Craft Fair Manager Jackie

Davis’ plans for the fair include new artisans

and vendors, craft demonstrations, more

children’s activities, and of course the all-

important pie tent. On Sunday, we’ll have

ponies to ride and a petting zoo to visit. Craft

demonstrations will include quilting, basket

making, and jewelry making.

Tours will not only introduce visitors to the

former Church Family site, but will also

highlight its historic connections with the Ann

Lee Nature Preserve. A presentation at the

Shaker Cemetery will feature some of the

personal stories reflected by the uniform

gravestones.

Please help us spread the word about this

event which carries on the traditions of

craftsmanship and creativity.

Consider joining in as a volunteer at the fair.

You can choose from a variety of

assignments. Contact Miriam Cantor-Stone

at volunteer@shakerheritage.org.

$3.00 with this ad

For over a year, Reggie Wilson, director of the

Brooklyn-based Fist and Heel Performance Group,

has immersed himself in the history of the

Shakers. His research brought him to the

Watervliet site, where African American Eldress

Rebecca Jackson was first introduced to the

Shakers and where she returned for several

periods before gaining permission to establish a

Shaker community in Philadelphia in 1857.

In fact, as part of developing a performance

commissioned by Jacobs Pillow, all of Mr.

Wilson’s dancers participated in the research

phase by exploring the buildings, collections, and

archives at Hancock Shaker Village. Former SHS

Education Coordinator Michelle Arthur worked

with Reggie Wilson during his Albany visit, and

she and current Education Coordinator Lorraine

Weiss had two opportunities to see the dance

piece in progress.

The new work, POWER, will debut at Hancock

Shaker Village July 6, and will be performed at

Jacobs Pillow July 10-14th. As described by the

Pillow Lab website, “[Wilson’s] new work

reimagines compelling core Shaker values,

contributions, practices, and histories through a

postmodern American lens. Building on his

ongoing examination of early African American

spiritual worship within American Christian

religiosity, Wilson’s POWER promises to present

intriguing perspectives and correlations on

worship and practices connected to Shakerism.”

New Dance Work Inspired by Shaker History

25 Meeting House Road

Albany, NY 12211

ANNUAL MEETING OF

THE MEMBERSHIP Saturday, June 22, 2019, 11:00 am

1848 Shaker Meeting House Enjoy a BBQ picnic, special tours with the director, and exercise your right to vote for candidates for the SHS Board of Directors. Can't make it to the meeting? All members will receive a proxy ballot and instructions.

Craig Apple, Albany County Sheriff will be our guest speaker. Before there were social service agencies, Shakers offered food, shelter, and fellowship to the poor, sick, and forgotten members of society. Today, under Sheriff Apple's guidance, the Albany County Correctional Facility has developed and implemented community partnerships to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for incarcerated men and women in Albany County. Sheriff Apple will speak about some of these programs, including the County's work with our neighbors at the veteran's service organization, Soldier On.

SHAKER FARE Spring Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

2 raw potatoes 1 raw carrot 1 tablespoon butter 2 leeks or 4 green onions, sliced 3 ribs celery 3 sprigs flat-leaf parsley 2 parsnips 1 C shredded lettuce 2 qts chicken broth ¼ C green pepper, chopped

Wash potatoes and carrots. Slice thinly, but do not

peel. Melt butter and add leeks, celery and parsley.

Sauté until vegetables are translucent, but not brown.

Blanch the green pepper and lettuce in boiling water

for one minute. Heat broth and pour over vegetables,

including raw potato and carrot. Season with salt and

pepper if desired, and simmer slowly for 20 minutes.

Serve hot with toasted crackers. Serves 4 to 6.

Amelia’s Shaker Recipes

The Shaker Cookbook: Recipes & Lore from the Valley of God’s Pleasure by Caroline Piercy and Arthur Tolve, pg. 27 Gabriel’s Horn Publishing Co., Bowling Green, Ohio, 1953, 1984