Sisters and young girls, Alfred Shaker Village, ca. 1927

Contributed by United Society of Shakers

Pictured from left, starting in the back row are Sabbathday Lake Shaker Sisters Ethel Peacock, Edith Gardner, Eva May Libby, Harriett Coolbroth, Etta Goodwin, Grace Philbrook, Minnie Greene, Dorothea Page and Della Haskell.

In the front row: Lillian Healey, Helena Lovely, Mabel Lovely, Frieda Coffin, Ellen Greene, Helen Page, Carol Coffin, Eleanor Philbrook and Avis Todd.

Note the number of Sisters wearing glasses. Eyeglasses were part of the medical care deemed so important by the Shakers. The Shakers welcomed modern medical care. In time, herbal doctors like Elder John Vance were replaced by professional physicians and surgeons and Shaker village Nurses' Shops were discontinued in favor of hospital care in Portland and Lewiston.

The Shakers also practiced preventive medicine, paying strict attention to the cleanliness of their farms, soundness of their diets and ventilation and lighting of their buildings. Of the eight Sisters pictured here who remained Shakers, six lived at least into their 70th year.

The photo was taken at the Church Family, Alfred Shaker Village.

Other Information

Cross Reference Searches

Share What You Know

Title: Sisters and young girls, Alfred Shaker Village, ca. 1927
Creator: United Society of Shakers
Creation Date: circa 1927
Subject Date: circa 1927
Town: Alfred
County: York
State: ME
Media: Slide from a glass-plate negative
Local Code: ITE 11
Object Type: Image

For more information about this item, contact:

United Society of Shakers
707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260
(207) 926-4597
http://www.shaker.lib.me.us/

Print This Record

... Or if there's a problem with this page, tell us.

Have a similar item and want it appraised? Check our Note on Appraisals.

Maine Memory Network
Maine's Online Museum