During the 19th century, the Shakers conducted America's first successful experiment in utopian living. From Maine to Kentucky, they built communal villages whose unique buildings were designed to accommodate hundreds of inhabitants unified in the common purpose of work and worship. This work illustrates the beauty, regional variations, and functional stylistic evolution of Shaker buildings over the course of two centuries, evoking a visual and literary survey of Shaker design and its impact on American culture as a whole. Despite the fact that Shaker communities are almost extinct, an appreciation for their legacy continues to grow. Architects, designers, curators, collectors, and the public have sought inspiration in Shaker art and architecture. This book is for all those who wish to learn more about these remarkable buildings and how the rich cultural legacy of the Shakers continues to resonate within them.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Historian Nicoletta presents Shaker architecture as a function of the sect's spirituality, celibacy, and industriousness and examines its evolution from the beginnings of religious revivalism to the decline of Shakerism in the 20th century. The 22 communities, once bustling, have long since been abandoned (with the exception of Sabbathday Lake, Maine), and the author shows how the rise and fall of Shakerism influenced the construction and renovation of their structures. Nicoletta also discusses the effect outside influences had on Shaker architecture, especially as members began to leave the communities. This work is more substantive than Paul Rocheleau and June Sprigg's Shaker Built: The Form and Function of Shaker Architecture (LJ 2/1/95) because here Nicoletta focuses on how the different construction styles served the Shakers' unique lifestyle. And although he does not offer the plans that Herbert Schiffer included in Shaker Architecture (1979), Nicoletta presents color photographs of communities that have since been renovated. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries with strong Shaker or vernacular architecture collections.
Julie C. Boehning, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Julie C. Boehning, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
Highly recommended. -- Library Journal
Julie Nicoletta's thoughtful history enables the reader to situate the splendid architectural achievements of Shaker builders in their proper religious and social context. -- Witold Rybczynski
While not the first book to treat American Shaker utopian villages and facets of their building heritage, this new volume does so in a more comprehensive, in-depth, and analytical manner than any previous work to appear in print on the subject. . . Outstanding. -- The New England Quarterly --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Julie Nicoletta's thoughtful history enables the reader to situate the splendid architectural achievements of Shaker builders in their proper religious and social context. -- Witold Rybczynski
While not the first book to treat American Shaker utopian villages and facets of their building heritage, this new volume does so in a more comprehensive, in-depth, and analytical manner than any previous work to appear in print on the subject. . . Outstanding. -- The New England Quarterly --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thorough and discerning,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Architecture of the Shakers (Hardcover)
A thorough and discerning book. Nicoletta's matter-of-fact prose is a welcome antidote to the nostalgia and sentiment that creep into more reverential treatments of the Shakers. Like any other history, Shaker history turns out to be complex and messy, not simple and sweet. How interesting to see Shaker buildings of the Victorian era, with floral wallpapers, clunky furniture, and primitive telephones.
14 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The definitive work on Shaker Architecture,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Architecture of the Shakers (Hardcover)
Nicoletta's book is intelligently and clearly written and boasts Bret Morgan's gorgeous photographs of Shaker buildings. The only book on Shaker Architecture you will ever need--and the best. Michael Kucher
8 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad, not great,
By Chris (Tacoma) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Architecture of the Shakers (Hardcover)
This book delves inconsistently into shaker architecture, but the style is very pedantic and unfocused. By the way, Kucher, who wrote the first glowing review is Nicolleta's husband. So take that review with a grain of salt.
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