Explore Maines Vanishing Artisan Village

Think you know Maine? Have you visited all its towns? Far from the beaten path, we bet you didn’t know about this shrinking religious community whose furniture, artwork, and music is revered around the nation.

You’re more likely to focus on the orchards, which climb the slope of the hill and offer a striking foreground visual counterpoint to the yawning, tree-covered plain below than the buildings. At first.

The farmhouse and few related buildings nearby are interesting—well-preserved, even—but not unusual in Maine, where old buildings of a certain size speak to faded farming traditions waiting to fall down.

This is New Gloucester, an averaged-sized town as things go in central Maine, and outside the usual tourism circuit saving for skiers who stop for gas on their way from Portland to the slopes in the western mountains.

It’s here that a centuries-old way of life is dying, and has almost died out entirely. These orchards and farm buildings are the world’s only remaining active Shaker community, which numbers just two.

Established in 1783, the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village—a religious community clustered around a pious life of religion, pacifism, and work—sprawls out over 1,800 acres, with 17 buildings.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd1Lq1VDJsE/?taken-by=sabbathdaylakeshakervillage

Officially known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearance, Shakers are related to England’s Quackerism, having split off from that movement and settled to North America in the 1700s, fleeing Great Britain to escape religious persecution.

Practicing celibacy, the Shakers community comprises adult converts, and, as a result, their numbers are dependent upon volunteers to a life many would consider austere.

Their days consist of raising Scottish Highland cattle and a herd of sheep, growing vegetables and herbs, and tending to the apple orchard. During the summer, a museum, gift shop, and research library are open.

But the size of the Shakers isn’t to be confused with their influence: they’re also known for their recorded music, agricultural products, and furniture. They’re credited with inventing the flat-bottomed broom and circular saw, among other things.

A Shaker-made bench or chair is considered an heirloom, a piece of furniture of unparalleled craftsmanship to be passed down generation after generation—even if the Shakers themselves won’t be.

Early last year, Sister Frances Carr, one of the last remaining members of the nearly-extinct religious group, died at age 89 after a battle with cancer. She left behind just two other members, Brother Arnold Hadd, who’s 61, and Sister June Carpenter, aged 79.

Shaker Village, New Gloucester, Maine, USA

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.