Shaker Museum elevates Shaker material culture to animate Shaker values and beliefs and inspire individuals and communities to deepen bonds and seek meaningful approaches to social, economic, environmental, and spiritual issues. Shaker Museum was founded in 1950 by John S. Williams, Sr. on his farm in Old Chatham, New York. Beginning in the 1930s, Williams traveled extensively to then-active Shaker communities and, often with help from the Shakers, purchased and was given fine examples of their arts, industries, domestic life, and spiritual artifacts. His approach was that of an anthropologist documenting the decline of a culture. Today the Museum’s object and library collection, numbering over 56,000 items, is considered the most comprehensive Shaker collection and is a prime resource for scholars and curators. The Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1972. In 2004, the Museum became the owner and steward of the North Family site at Mount Lebanon Shaker Village, consisting of 11 remaining Shaker buildings on 91 acres, part of the Mount Lebanon Shaker Society National Historic Landmark district. The Museum’s efforts are underway to restore the site and relocate there. Toward that end, the facility in Old Chatham closed to regular visitors in 2009, and since 2011 the Museum has offered seasonal guided tours, programs and exhibitions at the North Family, Mount Lebanon and the surrounding area.
