You can trace the thread from their handcrafted labors of love—from gourmet nuts and fudge to ceramics and fiber arts—back to the baskets, boxes, pickles and pie made by the Shakers who once lived here.
That means you’ll find goat’s milk soap and lotion from Stephanie Greek’s Shady Acre Homestead in Petersburg and pine needle baskets by Diane Babin of Schenectady-based Cruisin’ Creations, alongside ceramics, scarves, recycled paper earrings, tie-dyed onesies, felted hand warmers, aromatherapy sprays and much, much more.
Local honey produced by Ian Munger’s Blue Line Apiary is sourced in part from the Shaker Apple Orchard across the street.
The bleachers at the back of the Meeting House are draped in quilted place mats, potholders and vintage aprons, and display baskets by Sandy Salada of Sandy’s Fiber Arts, who teaches workshops at the site throughout the year.
The adjacent museum shop, open year round , offers a similarly wide selection, ranging from books and Shaker-inspired objects to jewelry, stained glass, children’s puzzles, and porcelain night lights engraved with farm scenes and forests.
Her favorite part of her job is talking to people who are passionate about making the world a better and more awe-inspiring place, whether that means creating beautiful things, researching the science of happiness, or doing eight pirouettes in a row.