Maine is full of history – from lighthouses to battles to beautiful bed and breakfasts, it sometimes seems as if there’s something new to learn around every corner. The truth is…that’s exactly correct! And today, we’d like to tell you a little bit about the only active Shaker village in the world. It exists right here in Maine! Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village is an active community, but currently has just two living members.

Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village was established in 1783 by a group of Shaker missionaries.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
The area was then called Thompson's Pond Plantation.
After being settled and in less than one year, there were almost two hundred people here. Originally it had only been home to five farming families.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
The village is located on 1,800 acres of farm and forest land and includes seventeen historic structures.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
The structures date from the 1780s through the 1950s.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
In 1794, the group became an official community after building a place for public worship. The creation of this Meeting House is what made them an official community.
Sabbathday Lake was one of the smallest and poorest of the Shaker communities in the east.
Photo Credit
Today, the Village continues to be a place where Shakers live, work, and pray.
The Shaker's Guiding Principle is: “Put your hands to work, and give your hearts to God."
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
This was first expressed by Shaker leader Mother Ann Lee about 230 years ago.

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Most people are familiar with Shaker furniture.
Aaron Morton / Flickr
But there are many other things that they're adept at. Their legacy includes achievements in social reform, agriculture, technology, and innovation.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
Did you know that Shakers invented the flat broom, circular saw blade, spring clothespin, chair tilter buttons, and the paper seed envelope?
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
The Shaker Village in Maine has a tree farm, apple orchard, vegetable gardens, herb garden, hay fields, pastures, a flock of sheep, and livestock.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
The Sabbathday Shakers love to host visitors to take part in their history and heritage.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
The public is welcome to explore the museum and research library. Visitors are encouraged to take part in traditional craft workshops, concerts, educational programs, membership support groups, and even Sunday worship services.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village / Facebook
You can visit them at 707 Shaker Road in New Gloucester. For more information about the history of the Sabbathday Shakers and how to visit, you can find them online by clicking here. Or, simply give the at call at (207) 926-4597.

For more history, check out our recent article on the abandoned locomotives hiding deep in Maine’s North Woods.

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