Built in 1795, three years after the first house was constructed, this dormitory dwelling cost about $2,000. It stood along Shaker Road next to the First House and the Sisters’ Shop to the north, and the Brethrens’ Shop on the north side of Maple Lane. These are gone now, though their foundations can be seen. This is the only Church family dwelling still standing.
Originally the house had a gambrel roof which was raised about 1860 and altered to gable form. Taking advantage of the hillside location, it has an exposed basement level with full light to the side and rear.
The house originally had two entrance doors on Shaker Road and another staircase providing separate entries for men and women. Later owners removed one door and staircase and converted the landings into bathrooms. The shed-roof entry on the side and the living room fireplace are later additions. The large room on the basement level was probably used for prayer worship; it has built in benches along the outside wall. It also has a bread oven and a small oven-like structure used for curling turkey-feather fans. (Money from the sale of turkey feather fans helped build the Stone Barn. A turkey-feather fan is on display at the Historical Society) In the current
dining room, there is a Shaker sink which empties to the outside of the building, indicating that this might have been used as a kitchen. The boards used to make the dividing walls in the current dining room show the Shakers’ use of wide, tapering boards to cover the greatest area of wall. The hand-made hardware on the doors is all original. There is a sub-basement below part of the lowest level.
Notice the stiles in the granite and wood fence separating the dwelling from Shaker Road; used instead of gates, they kept large animals out while letting people in. Unlike a gate, there is no chance of forgetting to close it and it is less likely to break or need replacement.
“Moving still continues E. Caroline and Susan Channel go to the second house to reside. Newly appointed elders take their places.”
—1872 Shaker journal entry
Originally the house had a gambrel roof which was raised about 1860 and altered to gable form. Taking advantage of the hillside location, it has an exposed basement level with full light to the side and rear.
The house originally had two entrance doors on Shaker Road and another staircase providing separate entries for men and women. Later owners removed one door and staircase and converted the landings into bathrooms. The shed-roof entry on the side and the living room fireplace are later additions. The large room on the basement level was probably used for prayer worship; it has built in benches along the outside wall. It also has a bread oven and a small oven-like structure used for curling turkey-feather fans. (Money from the sale of turkey feather fans helped build the Stone Barn. A turkey-feather fan is on display at the Historical Society) In the current
dining room, there is a Shaker sink which empties to the outside of the building, indicating that this might have been used as a kitchen. The boards used to make the dividing walls in the current dining room show the Shakers’ use of wide, tapering boards to cover the greatest area of wall. The hand-made hardware on the doors is all original. There is a sub-basement below part of the lowest level.
Notice the stiles in the granite and wood fence separating the dwelling from Shaker Road; used instead of gates, they kept large animals out while letting people in. Unlike a gate, there is no chance of forgetting to close it and it is less likely to break or need replacement.
“Moving still continues E. Caroline and Susan Channel go to the second house to reside. Newly appointed elders take their places.”
—1872 Shaker journal entry
View of the Second House from the rear looking east with the Herb Dry House on the left.
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