Modern-day Shakers
Membership in the Shakers dwindled in the late 19th century for several reasons: people were attracted to cities and away from the farms; Shaker products could not compete with mass-produced products that became available at a much lower cost; and Shakers could not have children, so adoption was a major source of new members. This continued until orphanages were established and the states began to limit adoption by religious groups.
Some Shaker sites have become museums, including Hancock Shaker Village in Hancock, Massachusetts; Enfield Shaker Museum in Enfield, New Hampshire; the North Family in New Lebanon, New York (Mount Lebanon Shaker Village; photos at Mount Lebanon Shaker Society), Harvard, Massachusetts (Fruitlands); and the Pleasant Hill community in Kentucky. The Canterbury, New Hampshire, Shaker village was operating as a historic site even before its last member, Ethel Hudson, died in September 1992.
Believers have continually looked at the story of Ann Lee as a cornerstone of the theological architecture that has distinguished their church from other American religious groups. Shaker theology, its manifestation in material artifacts such as furniture and oval boxes, and the Ann Lee story draw the attention of outsiders either fascinated or repulsed by them.
Although there were six thousand believers at the peak of the Shaker movement, there were only twelve Shaker communities left by 1920. In the United States, there was one remaining active Shaker community, at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, which as of January 2011 has only five members: Sister June Carpenter, Brother Arnold Hadd, and Sister Frances Carr (and two other brothers).
The Sabbathday Lake community still accepts new recruits, as it has since its founding. Shakers are no longer allowed to adopt orphans after new laws were passed in 1960 denying adoption to religious groups, but adults who wish to embrace Shaker life are welcome.
This community, founded in 1783, was one of the smaller Shaker groups during the sect's heyday. They farm and practice a variety of handicrafts; a Shaker Museum and Sunday services are open to visitors. Mother Ann Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August to commemorate the arrival of the English Shakers in America in 1774. The congregation sings and a Mother Ann cake is presented.
The daily schedule of a Shaker in Sabbathday Lake Village is as follows:
- The day begins for many at 7:30 am; the Great Bell on Dwelling House rings, calling everyone to breakfast.
- At 8:00 am morning prayers start. Two Psalms are read, then passages are read from elsewhere in the Bible. Following this is communal prayer and silent prayer, concluded with the singing of a Shaker hymn.
- Work for the Shakers begins at 8:30.
- Work stops at 11:30 for midday prayers.
- Lunch begins at 12:00. This is the main meal for the Shakers.
- Work continues at 1:00 pm
- At 6:00 it is dinner time, the last meal of the day.
- On Wednesdays at 5:00 pm they hold a prayer meeting which is followed by a Shaker Studies class.
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