The Friends of The Shakers
The
Friends of the Shakers, a non-profit organization, was founded in
1974 to lend a hand to the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community. Since
then, the Friends of the Shakers has contributed to the Community
through direct donations, fund-raising for restoring and maintaining
historic village buildings, and volunteering at the village on annual
spring and fall work days.
The community's buildings were constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries
and are on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the Friends'
greatest achievements was helping to fund the 1986 renovation of the
village's 1880 schoolhouse. The building is now beautifully restored
and houses the Shaker Library, a vast collection of Shaker-related
materials. The Library is open to the public by appointment. From
1992 to 1994, the Friends raised more than $37,000 for major structural
repairs to the community's 1816 Trustee's building, which houses the
Shaker store. Volunteers from the Friends organization worked with
the Shaker family to coordinate the project which was completed in
1994.
In 2000,
the Friends raised $15,000 to replace the family's aging large restaurant-style
cookstove and renovate the kitchen's bake room.
Each August, Friends travel to Maine from all over the world to meet
at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village for Friends Weekend. On Saturday
during Friends Weekend unique workshops on Shaker life, history, music,
and crafts are presented, along with special walking tours of the
village grounds. Friends from "away" enjoy seeing the newest
museum exhibits. Often Saturday night ends with a candlelit gathering
in the Shaker Meetinghouse to sing traditional Shaker songs. It's
an opportunity for people with a shared interest in the Shakers to
meet and get to know one another, or to renew friendships. For many,
Friends Weekend is a time for a renewal of the spirit as well as a
chance to share in the community's heritage.
Work
Days
The Friends of the Shakers hold two work days at the Sabbathday Lake
Shaker village, one in October and another in May. Members of the
Friends gather at the village on a Saturday morning and spend the
day working at various tasks. There are assignments available for
all ages and abilities. Work days bring chores, but fellowship as
well. Everyone gathers together at noon for lunch, conversation, and
laughs.
On spring
work day volunteers paint fences, mow lawns, weed flower beds, pack
herbs, do carpentry work and and lend a hand to spruce up the village
for the upcoming summer months.
On fall work day Friends help ready the village for the upcoming winter
months. Raking leaves, stacking wood, mowing the grass, more painting,
and picking apples are some of the things that get done before winter
arrives.
Click
here to view photos from the 2001 Fall Work Day.
Membership Benefits
Members of the Friends of the Shakers receive: Free, unlimited admission
to the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum’s guided tours. The Museum exhibits
Shaker-made furniture, textiles and other artifacts in settings depicting
various stages of the community’s history since it was established
in 1794.
A subscription to The Clarion newsletter, which keeps members up-to-date
on Friends projects and Sabbathday Lake village, museum, and library
happenings.
An invitation to attend the annual Friends Weekend held at the Sabbathday
Lake Shaker Village each August.
A $5 discount on Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum summer crafts workshop
fees.
How
To Join
You are invited to join the Friends of the Shakers by writing to us
at: The Friends of the Shakers, 707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester, ME
04260. Please make checks payable to The Friends of the Shakers. All
contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Funds
are used for the support and preservation of the ongoing Shaker tradition
at Sabbathday Lake and are greatly appreciated. Please include your
name, address and phone number.
Membership
Levels
Individual $15.00
Family $25.00
Contributor $35.00
Sponsor $50.00
Patron $100.00
Benefactor $200.00
Life $500.00
Corporate $1000.00
Both Life and Corporate memberships may be divided into 2-4 payments.
Leaf rakers find plenty to do on Fall Work Day
Preparing concord grapes for Sr. Frances's jam