When Albany County purchased the site of the Watervliet Shaker Church Family in 1928, over 20 buildings were torn down and a brick façade was added to the 1848 Shaker Meeting House. At the time, the County intended to use the site as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients and for a new nursing home facility.
In 2005, Shaker Heritage Society worked with the New York State DOT and Albany County and Old Saratoga Restoration to bring the 1848 Shaker Meeting House back to its original appearance. Structural damage due to a termite infestation was discovered under the brick façade. Repairs to major support beams began immediately while restoration of the façade was completed one side at a time. The project was given a Preservation Initiative award in 2007.
Creating a Vision for America’s First Shaker Settlement
In the Spring of 2005, Shaker Heritage Society received funds from the NY State Council on the Arts and the Bender Foundation to undertake a Site Master Planning process to address site use and management needs. Working in partnership with Albany County, the Albany International Airport, the Town of Colonie, the first phase of planning was completed in 2007. It received an Honor Award from the Society of Landscape Architects. Phase II of the planning process is currently underway. Currently, it is anticipated that the site will become a mixed use community center including commercial, recreational, educational and historic preservation activities.
Getting the Community Involved
Shaker Heritage Society has always been a grass roots preservation and education organization. It does not receive direct funding from Albany County. Most of the Society revenues are generated through the gift shop and through individual contributions and membership dues. Our members form a constituency of individuals who want to preserve the site of the first Shaker settlement. Becoming a member is the best way to help strengthen the Society and to show Albany County that the community really does want to save this important historic site.