Enfield Shaker Museum, Open-air museum in Enfield, US.
The Enfield Shaker Museum is an open-air museum with eight historical buildings and gardens set in a former Shaker settlement. The site preserves the architecture, furnishings, and layout of the original 19th century community.
The Shakers founded this settlement in 1793 as one of their communities with religious and economic goals. The community peaked with about 300 members around 1840 and departed completely by 1923.
The village displays the Shaker commitment to craftsmanship through carefully made furniture and clean, functional designs found in the rooms. Walking through the buildings, you immediately notice the value placed on simplicity and order that shaped daily community life.
The site is easy to navigate on foot, with buildings clearly marked for self-guided exploration. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since much time is spent outdoors and some terrain is uneven.
In 1849, the Shakers built a stone bridge across Lake Mascoma to connect their settlement with a new railroad line. This practical solution shows how the community adapted to new technology while maintaining their tradition.
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