Shaker Utopianism and Its Legacy in American Art
A recent feature in The New York Times highlights ten utopian groups in the United States, focusing particularly on the Shakers. This religious community immigrated from England in 1774 and is renowned for their simplistic yet functional furniture design, alongside principles of equality and communal living. At their height during the 1840s, approximately 6,000 Shakers inhabited 60 settlements across states from Maine to Indiana. Despite facing criticism, including Charles Dickens' negative view of their New York settlement, their craftsmanship gained recognition over time. The piece also mentions other visionary movements, such as the Art Workers' Coalition and Casa de Estrogen.
Key facts
- Shakers arrived from England in 1774.
- They believed in utility, equality, collective property, and celibacy.
- Charles Dickens visited Mt. Lebanon, N.Y., in 1842 and found it grim.
- Modernist designers later praised Shaker 'form follows function' design.
- Peak Shaker population was 6,000 in the 1840s across 60 settlements.
- Shaker numbers declined as revivalism waned in the late 19th century.
- Shaker furniture grew in admiration due to poor factory goods.
- Sister Mildred lamented being remembered as furniture in 1984.
Entities
Artists
- Sister Mildred
Institutions
- Shaker Museum
- Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
- New York Times
- Art Workers' Coalition
- Casa de Estrogen
Locations
- United States
- England
- Mt. Lebanon
- New York
- Maine
- Indiana