Antique Shaker Window In Historic Brick Watervliet Building Stock Photo

Everything the Shakers built was utilitarian and often balanced in design from one side to the other—for example, the two large fireplaces at opposite ends of the dwellings. Interiors were divided into two nearly identical halves, each served by a separate staircase, because Shaker brothers lived on one side and Shaker sisters on the other. The original buildings were log cabins; however, the oldest surviving buildings date to 1820. Each `family` house had a basement, 3 living floors, and an attic. Kitchens, including the large kitchens for baking and canning, were located in the basement. Each house had a wing for `sisters` and a wing for `brothers,` with separate staircases; the wings were separated by a large hall. Not only bedrooms, but sitting rooms were separate.