"'Tis a gift to be simple" go the words of the old Shaker hymn, and for 200 years the Shakers were famed for the simple beauty of their architecture, furniture, and other crafts inspired by the austere beauty of their religious philosophy and everyday life. In this addition to the Landmarks of Faith series, host Schuyler Sackett provides a fine introduction to the Shaker legacy. Founded in England by "Mother" Ann Lee in the years just prior to the American Revolution, this utopian movement flourished in the decades before the Civil War. Initially viewed with suspicion, neighbors visited Shaker communities to marvel at the mystical frenzied dancing which accompanied the religious services, but many stayed to admire the immaculate Shaker barns and meetinghouses. The outside world eagerly bought Shaker seeds, textiles, and furniture, and communities were planted in New York, Kentucky, and Ohio. However, the Shaker requirement of celibacy, and the nation's transition to a more urban landscape spelled a slow decline for the group. This video explores similarities and differences between the Shakers and groups like the Puritans and Amish. The documentary shows how truly radical the Shaker belief in racial equality and a "separate but equal" status for men and women really was in 19th century America. Offering many beautiful views of Shaker building and crafts, the program is a moving and informative popular history. Along with Ken Burns' The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God (PBS Home Video), this video is highly recommended for school and public libraries. Additional titles in the series include: Methodist Camp Meetings, Catholic Maryland, Latter-day Saints, The California Missions and Puritan New England. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
Landmarks of Faith: The Shakers
(1998) 46 min. $19.95. Goldhil Video. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 14, Issue 2
Landmarks of Faith: The Shakers
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