The buildings still standing at the South Family include the South Family Dwelling House and Washhouse, Sisters’ Shop or Applesauce house, and the remains of the Stone Barn. The foundations of an office building/dwelling across South Shaker Road from the big Dwelling House and a brick Brethrens’ Shop behind the Sisters’ Shop can still be seen. The Isaac Willard House
foundation, where Anne Lee stayed before going to the Square House, is located along South Shaker Road east of the Applesauce House.
Note: Many of the facts and dates in this description are based on the Transcription of WRHS Reel 30 Volume V B 35 A Journal Record Of the South and East Family Of Young Believers at Harvard County of Worcester State of Massachusetts. (Other sources have dated some of the buildings differently.)
The South Family became the official gathering order for those setting out to become Shakers. The ministry finally appointed official elders for the South Family, making it truly autonomous in 1822.
The many levels created on the hillside site of the South Family by the Shakers and extensive use of retaining walls show how the Shakers shaped the land to their needs and designed the buildings to take advantage of the different levels. They also constructed a long drainage tunnel to carry water under South Shaker Road into the pond.
Many entries in the Journal of Events show the landshaping that went on over the years, for example, this entry about building the Sisters’ Shop.
Sister’s shop 1850 10/10 There has also been a large quantity of earth removed from the bank west of the Dwelling House to prepare a place for a house where many articles are to be prepared for market also sister’s rooms, carriage and wood rooms.
foundation, where Anne Lee stayed before going to the Square House, is located along South Shaker Road east of the Applesauce House.
Note: Many of the facts and dates in this description are based on the Transcription of WRHS Reel 30 Volume V B 35 A Journal Record Of the South and East Family Of Young Believers at Harvard County of Worcester State of Massachusetts. (Other sources have dated some of the buildings differently.)
The South Family became the official gathering order for those setting out to become Shakers. The ministry finally appointed official elders for the South Family, making it truly autonomous in 1822.
The many levels created on the hillside site of the South Family by the Shakers and extensive use of retaining walls show how the Shakers shaped the land to their needs and designed the buildings to take advantage of the different levels. They also constructed a long drainage tunnel to carry water under South Shaker Road into the pond.
Many entries in the Journal of Events show the landshaping that went on over the years, for example, this entry about building the Sisters’ Shop.
Sister’s shop 1850 10/10 There has also been a large quantity of earth removed from the bank west of the Dwelling House to prepare a place for a house where many articles are to be prepared for market also sister’s rooms, carriage and wood rooms.
