The Shaker Heritage Society has developed a series of interactive classes specifically designed for senior audiences.  Through these classes, we help participants discover the fascinating world of the Shakers.  Learn about what everyday items the Shakers invented, where the Shakers lived locally and how they played an integral role in American history.  We offer both academic lectures and interactive, hands-on sessions.  Each interactive session is a multi-sensory experience combining lecture, discussion and hands-on activities to reinforce the information presented.  Hand-outs are also offered so participants can continue to learn about the topic after the session has ended.  These programs allow your residents or members to explore this fascinating local historical landmark without ever leaving your site. 

      The interactive classes are offered at two different levels to allow community organizations, nursing homes or retirement communities to customize programs for their unique audience.  Level One classes are primarily for individuals with physical and mental abilities limited by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  These classes are a half hour in length and a brief introduction to Shaker beliefs and history is followed by a basic hands-on activity. 

      Level Two sessions are designed for seniors with standard physical and mental abilities.  These classes last between 45 minutes and an hour and consist of a 15 minute lecture introducing the Shaker history and beliefs.  The hands-on activity is then introduced and participants can work on the project with the assistance of the program presenter.  This is followed by open discussion and a question and answer period. 

Pricing
Academic Lectures: $75 per program
Interactive Programs: $75 per program, plus $2.00 per person materials fee 
Food Program: $75 (includes recipes and information folder)

For more information or to schedule a program, please contact the Education Coordinator at (518) 456-7890 ext. 23 or ShakerEducator@gmail.com
We are able to customize programs upon request. Please contact us to discuss how we can best assist your community or organization.

Academic Lectures

The Surprising Shakers:  Unexpected Experiences, Practices and Events in Shaker Life
Did the Shakers drink alcohol? Smoke tobacco? Keep pets? Did people ever leave the Shaker community and get married? These are all questions that we regularly hear at the Shaker Heritage Society. The answers are complicated and often depend upon the year, the community and the individual. Learn about the Shakers' rules and how they were occasionally broken. Hear fascinating stories gleaned from Shaker journals and newspaper articles. 
Please note that this is only available as a Level Two program.
 

 The Shaker Definition of Community
What was living in a Shaker community really like? How did people become members? Who were the leaders?  Who cooked for the dozens of Shakers? Learn the answers to these questions and many more when you hear about everyday life in the Shaker community.  Using primary sources, including photographs, journals and newspaper articles, discover the stories of the men and women who lived as Shakers here in Albany County. 
Please note that this is only available as a Level Two program

Interactive Programs

Clover, Comfrey and Chamomile: Shaker Herbs
This session introduces the Shaker plant and herb industries.  Audience members are able to smell and examine various samples of herbs from our extensive garden. Learn what plants were used to dye fabric, treat illnesses and flavor foods. Discover how the Shakers marketed their products and gained a trusted reputation in the farming and medical communities. Try grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle and create fragrant sachets that you can keep in a drawer or closet. 
 

Plain and Simple: Shaker Design
Learn how the Shakers constructed furniture and buildings and discover how their creations influenced modern design and pop culture. View drawings and photographs of the Watervliet Shakers’ buildings, both as they looked historically and how they appear today. Study authentic reproduction Shaker pieces and paint a shaker style box for storing small treasures.   

The Fabrics of their Lives: Shaker Textiles
While the Shakers were known for their simple garments, they were also recognized for producing high quality fabrics and accessories. View images of textiles from the Shaker Heritage Society collection and examine reproduction garments. Try spinning on a drop spindle and weaving on a loom.  Take home samples of natural fibers and fabrics. 

Food Programs

Stews, Biscuits and Pies: Shaker Cooking
Truly a feast for the senses and the mind!  The Shakers were known for their delicious, hearty and healthy food.  This unique program encourages collaboration between the Shaker Heritage Society and your dietetic staff. Using original Shaker recipes, your staff can create a scrumptious, nourishing meal to feed your residents.  A SHS program presenter will then visit your group to share information about Shaker food, discuss their thoughts on the meal and explore everyone’s personal memories of favorite foods, holiday dinners and family dishes.     
This program can only be presented at a site with a kitchen. 
Food and food preparation is the responsibility of the host organization’s dietetic staff.

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Shaker Heritage Society
25 Meeting House Road 
Albany, NY  12211
(518) 456-7890Fax: (518) 452-7348

Last modified July 1,  2010