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Image credit"Sewing Desk," Watervliet, NY, ca. 1840–1850, cherry and pine; Collection of Bob and Aileen Hamilton, Photo courtesy of David Schorsch and Eileen Smiles
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Image Credit"Flax Wheel," Canterbury, NH, ca. 1795, oak and maple, 33 x 23 1/2 x 47 in., stamped “ZW” [Zadock Wright] on the table; Collection of Jeanne and Bernie Brown, Photograph by Jim McLaughlin
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Image Credit"Scoop," probably Hancock, MA, ca. 1820–1840, unidentified wood, yellow with white interior, 4 1/8 in. diameter, 6 in. overall; Collection of Jeanne and Bernie Brown, Photograph by Jim McLaughlin
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Image Credit"Selection of Tools;" Collection of Jeanne and Bernie Brown (formerly in the collection of Faith Andrews), Photograph by Jim McLaughlin
The Shakers built their first settlement 250 years ago in upstate New York. Shaker design is recognized around the world today for its simplicity and elegance. A religious group that first settled in the region in the late 1700s, the Shakers perfected a simple aesthetic that emphasized the practical and is characterized by the harmonious use of line, form, and proportion. This exhibition draws from two private collections of Shaker furniture and objects, including many items which have never before been exhibited in a museum context. The first half of the exhibition looks at Shakers at Work, focusing on the various trades in which the Shakers were engaged and their practical tools, designed without unnecessary ornament. The second half of the exhibitions, Shakers at Rest, features objects utilized in everyday life, such as chairs, tables, and storages boxes.
Presenting Sponsors
Community Sponsors
Additional Exhibition Support Provided By
Form and Function: The Beauty of Shaker Design
Campus Location
Hoopes Gallery, Whitney-Renz Gallery
On View
Aug 22, 2026 - Jan 10, 2027
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