Fleeing religious persecution in England, Mother Ann Lee led a group of followers to America in 1774 where they established the first Shaker community in Niskayuna, NY. In honor of the 250th anniversary of their arrival, the New York State Museum will hold a viewing of historic film footage of the Shakers from its collection.
On Friday, May 3 from noon to 4 p.m., two films (total run time 47 minutes) will run on a loop in the Huxley Theatre. The first film, The Shakers, was created in 1974 for the New York State Library Film Collection. This film features footage from Sabbathday Lake, Maine, and Canterbury, New Hampshire, including interviews with the small community of living Shaker women. The second film, Shakers of Lebanon, is digitized from 8mm black and white film footage produced by F.M. Spoonogle around 1940. It shows the North Family of Shakers at Mount Lebanon and includes highlights of their handwork in weaving, sewing, clock making, and basketry.
