Charles Nordhoff’s 1875 report on Shakerism highlighted the ascetic lifestyle of the Shakers, exemplified by the Mount Lebanon village’s tranquility, which foreshadowed their decline from 6,000 members pre-Civil War to just two remaining in Maine today. The new exhibition, The Shakers: A World in the Making, showcases their unique blend of simplicity, gender equality, and foresight into sustainability, encouraging reflections on their relevance in contemporary society.
