Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Living Simple

I admire the once active "Shaker Community" and how they lived.  There are only 3 Shakers that are still living today as our guide explained to us before we embarked on a self tour of the Shaker Community right outside Bowling Green.  I loved that their decor was simple and everything had a purpose and was used.  While I enjoy the clean lines and open space with gracious amounts of light, it just was not a "homey" feel.  But on the other hand, times have changed.  We as a society used to work hard everyday in the warmer months preparing and preserving for the Winter months to come.  This was no exception for the Shakers.  I will share some of the photos I took.  It was really interesting. 


The daily preserving area in the main house.


Community meal time preparation area.  Located in the main house.


The Bakery.  On one wall was a huge Pie Safe. 
Breads, puddings, and desserts were made here daily.

Entrance into one of the Worship Rooms.

I was surprised to learn that Shakers were ahead of their time.  Technology as far as living was incorporated into their way of life.  The amount of people that the Kentucky Shakers took care of during the War between the States, was incredible.  It nearly depleted all of their supplies.  This particular community of Shakers dispersed around 1922.

This to be continued...

4 comments:

ArlaMo said...

Really cool pictures! I love Shaker era furniture.

MNmomma said...

Super cool history! TFS!

Rebecca Keppel said...

Beautiful photos. I love the simplicity too--it is so refreshing considering all the sensory input we are bombarded with on a daily basis.

Kelly B Rutherford said...

Those pictures are great! I love there simple way of life. Sometimes I wish we lived that way now.