TOUR OF THE GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS OF THE CHURCH FAMILY SHAKERS,
FIRST SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA, WATERVLIET, (NOW TOWN OF CQLONIE) ALBANY COUNTY, NY

Located on the site chosen "byMother Ann Lee, soon after her arrival in 1775-
The Believers organized as a family about ten years later.
As early as 1795 a visitor from the 'world' observed that "the establishment
was composed of a large number of nice -wooden houses, a church, schools, and a com-
munity house of brick... immense stables, dairies, factories for the production of
butter and cheese... and through the windows we could see the looms of the "weavers,
and the pieces of cloth which they were dyeing, also the workshops of the tailors
and dress-makers."
The Shakers made everything for their own use as well as the products which
they sold to the 'world'. The Church Family was primarily engaged in the garden seed
and medicinal herb industries.
Most of the residents of the Church Family were the older Believers of the Soc-
iety. The first U. S. census listed 33 members in the Church Family in 1790, The
membership of this family climbed to 87 in 1830 and to 105 in 1847. From this time
on there was a steady decline in numbers until only four sisters remained in 1926,
when the property was sold for the Ann Lee Home and Albany County Airport.
The remaining buildings are:
MEETING- HOUSE -'Built in 1848, frame with clapboarding (brick veneered
ca. 1930 . ) Meeting Eoom in south portion (now Chapel of St. Elizabeth
of Hungary) Has black walnut benches for visitors' seating at South end.
Ministry apartments, 2-|-stories, at north end. Large attic with exposed
beams on top floor. KENEELEY JELL on east side of building, was formerly
on the main Dwelling House nearby.

MINISTRY (AND SMALL BRICK SHOP) built in 1820, 2^ stories, with regular
ashlar basement. Modern 2-story wing added at rear. Used by Brethren.

HERB STORAGE (AND MILK HOUSE) built 1856 (date stone on east end of "build-
ing) adjacent to Shaker Creek, 1 story with random ashlar foundation.

GARAGE (CEMENT BLOCK) - built in 1920, when autos became fashionable as
well as a necessity.

WASH HOUSE (LAUNDRY) AND CANNERY) - bum in isss, 24-stories, with 2
story brick wing at vest. (Remodeled into garage after 1950.)

BARNS - "built in 1916, large complex, frame, with clapboarding, two wooden
-vent cupolas, and long wing at east. Additional barn, frame, and connected
to first barn, forming complex of four structures.

BRETHREN" SHOP, AND SISTERS WORKSHOP - built 1822, brick 2^ stories, with
irregular ashlar basement containing datestone inscribed "This house built
1835 ^y Bruster & Allen, Master Masons." Porch, tile roof, and dormers
added ca. 1950.

TRUSTEES OFFICE - built 1830, brick 2^-stories. Remodeled ca. 1930 with
tile-roof, dormers and porches added. Used as a Prematoriam, for children
in the 30 ' Sand 40 !s.