Aroostook Wheat Field
Contributed by United Society of Shakers
Item 6903
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Drawn by the economic and cultural opportunities of the cities, thousands of people abandoned the often harsh and isolated rural farm life.
The decrease in membership between 1872 and 1918 at Sabbathday Lake and Alfred, then, should be considered in the context of a general decrease in rural population. Assuredly, Nelson Chase who left Sabbathday Lake for California in 1889 was not the only person drawn to the promised lands of the West.
The dreams that lured young men and women away from farms throughout Maine likely drew Hiram, Laura and Lizzie Bailey and other Shaker youths away from Sabbathday Lake also.
The challenge to those left behind was to adapt to the modern world of mills, factories, tenements, office buildings and mass transportation without abandoning fundamental values learned on family farms and in small towns.
Other Information
- Title: Aroostook Wheat Field
- Creator: United Society of Shakers
- Creation Date: circa 1905
- Subject Date: circa 1905
- Local Name: Sabbathday Lake
- Town: New Gloucester
- County: Aroostook, Cumberland
- State: ME
- Media: Slide from a post card
- Local Code: ITE 33
- Object Type: Text and 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/
Cross Reference Searches
LC Subject Headings
Christian communities
Shakers--Social life and customs
Horse teams
Shakers--History
Wheat
Farming
United Society of Shakers--Maine
Shakers--Missions--Maine--Sabbathday Lake
Other Keywords
Agriculture
Alfred
Buildings
Delmer Charles Wilson
Farm
Industry & work
New Gloucester
New Hampshire
Photography
Portland
Portraits
Religion
Religion & philosophy
Religious community
Shaker
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