Watervliet Shaker Historic District - Buildings

Buildings

The original buildings were log cabins, however, the oldest surviving buildings date to 1820. Each "family" house had a basement, 3 living floors and an attic. Kitchens, including the large kitchens for baking and canning, were located in the basement. Each house had a wing for "sisters" and a wing for "brothers," with separate staircases; the wings were separated by large hall. Not only bedrooms, but sitting rooms were separate. Both sexes shared the dining and meeting rooms, but sat on opposite sides of the room. Typically, 2 to 6 Believers of the same sex shared a bed chamber. The buildings of the North family burned to the ground in 1920. Other buildings were lost to neglect. or torn down over the years. 22 buildings survive.

Collectively, the buildings at Watervliet are regarded as among the finest and best preserved surviving Shaker buildings.