Shaker Heritage Society

250 years ago, eight Shakers fled England, bound for New York in hopes of finding religious freedom. Named for their trembling “religious ecstasies,” the Shakers received gifts of revelation; communications from the spirit world. Led by a woman whom they called, “Mother Ann”, they were subject to bloody persecution. Shakers were beaten, imprisoned, abducted, and chased out of town on both sides of the Atlantic. Undeterred, they persevered to build their vision of Heaven-on-Earth right here, in A

Source: home.shakerheritage.org · Last verified Oct 6, 2026

Perfect for the season! Make a pumpkin friend in this needle felting workshop! Learn how to paint and sculpt with wool durin

Source: home.shakerheritage.org · Last verified Aug 25, 2026

A surprising tour of local sites considered sacred by the Shakers. Driving tour led by Prof. Doug Winiarski of Univ. of Richmond. Join Doug Winiarski, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Richmond, and Theresa Frey-Alexander, Curator of Education and Interpretation at Shaker Heritage Society on a mind-bending driving tour of the “Spiritual City of Wisdom’s Valley,” an ancient spirit metropolis located on the Watervliet Shaker Village. In 1842 Shaker instruments saw Wisdom’s Valley

Source: home.shakerheritage.org · Last verified Oct 6, 2026

Escape the cold with this seascape wool painting! Yes, you can make a landscape with wool. And yes, it’s ridiculously satisfying. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how to layer, blend, shape, and needle-felt wool fibers to create a 5″ x 7″ unframed seascape with sky, water, shoreline, and plenty of gorgeous texture. We’ll work from a simple guided design so you can focus on learning the technique, playing with color, and ending up with something you’ll actually want to take home.

Source: home.shakerheritage.org · Last verified Oct 6, 2026

Make three woven ornaments, perfect for the holiday season! Participants will make three festive woven ornaments. Guided by local basket weaver, Sandy Salada, you will create an eight pointed snowflake and a puffy heart, and a reindeer woven in dyed reed. Spice up your Christmas decor with these handmade crafts! No prior experience is needed. Material Fee required. Suitable for ages 14 and up. Register online at Eventbrite.com!

Source: home.shakerheritage.org · Last verified Oct 6, 2026

Get crafty and learn how to make cute wool ornaments perfect for the holidays. Learn how to paint and sculpt with wool during this three-hour needle felted ornament workshop with local artist Mallory Zondag. You will learn how to cover a foam form with wool roving, how to sculpt wool three dimensionally to form pieces that can be attached for the spherical ornament, and finally how to blend colors and create a painted effect using wool roving and felting needle to create a unique and beautiful p

Source: home.shakerheritage.org · Last verified Oct 6, 2026