Discover & Learn

The Sisters' Shop, 1816

This building was originally constructed as a spin shop. It was built on the site of an older spin shop that was moved north and became part of the laundry.

In the 1830s, the Shakers brought an end to spinning here and the sisters used the building for workshops and for musical instruction. Tailoring was perhaps the most important activity; sewing and dressmaking was carried out here throughout the 19th and into the 20th century. In later years, with the decline of numbers of able brothers to do strenuous agricultural work, the sisters took up the main task of providing a living for the community by producing "fancy work" that was sold to the outside world. The sisters' work was prized by outsiders for its fine needlework, weaving, and basketry and was sold by the sisters at mountain, lake and seashore hotels and resorts throughout New England and as far south as Florida.

In 1891 Elder Henry Blinn noted that the cellar was the best storage place at the village for winter apples and sauces. The elders occupied the western half of the first story, while the large east room was used for instruction in musical instruments. The sisters used the northwest room on the second story for making dresses, and the other rooms were general workrooms. The eldresses' confession room was located here, where sisters made their weekly confession.

Today the Sisters’ Shop is open for self-guided tours. 

Source: David R. Starbuck, Neither Plain Nor Simple: New Perspectives on the Canterbury Shakers