The Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community Library
New Gloucester, Maine
Date of Visit: March 29, 2013
My Visit to the Sabbathday Lake Community Library was not very successful. Not planning ahead cost me an opportunity to visit in a way that would have been much more educational. I happened to be traveling by the community and decided to stop for a visit. Unfortunately the library was closed and requires an appointment even if it is open. In spite of my shortsightedness, I did walk around the village and take in the fantastic views and the historic architecture of the buildings. Amazingly simple yet functional and majestic buildings when combined with the awesome backdrop of the surrounding mountain and lake views.
The history of the Shakers dates back to1747 in England. Viewed as odd they were persecuted for their differences in England and in America. The Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community was founded in 1783 and grew quickly. The community is the only remaining active Shaker community that remains today.
The library is a needed stop for anyone who has interest in religious history or communal living history. According to the website, http://www.shaker.lib.me.us/library.html,
“The Library is both the archive for the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community, as well as a nationally known center of primary and secondary materials by and about the Shakers, from their origins to the present day. Subjects covered include history, religious philosophy, herbal medicine, architecture, furniture, crafts, music, and education. The Library's Radical Collection of materials on other communal and radical religious sects in America in addition to other special collections provides context for the experience of the Shakers.”
I will be re-visiting this site and the library in the future. This is defiantly a place to spend a significant amount of time learning how life there has evolved and how it still survives.
No comments:
Post a Comment