Shoptalk by Sturbridge Yankee Workshop

Simplicity, purity and utility have been the founding cornerstones of Shaker furniture, design and living for nearly as long as America has been a nation. In 1774, Ann Lee arrived in New York with nine followers of a religious sect known as the Wardleys. They settled near Albany, where they developed into a community completely dedicated to spiritual living. Because their rituals included shouting and trembling, the religion’s followers became known as Shakers; thought to have been derived through combining the words ‘Shaking’ and ‘Quakers.’ Over the next 106 years, the Shaker movement grew to include nineteen religious communities scattered from Maine to Ohio to Florida, with a following of around 6,000 members. This included the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in Maine, founded in 1783 – the last active Shaker community, located just a few towns over from us at Sturbridge.

The Shakers sought to apply harmony and order to every aspect of life. As they put it, “Do your work as though you had a thousand years to live and as if you were to die tomorrow.” Simple, honest style and fine craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Shaker design. Here at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, we have a large selection of furniture that features the clean, simple lines this style is known for. With all shaker furniture, it is important that the piece have a functional benefit as well. Style and practicality is what you’ll find with our existing customer favorite and new shaker products.

Pictured here to the left is our Shaker Desk. The desk’s tapered legs highlight the smooth table surface for work and computer use. A single front drawer easily pulls out to store important paperwork or crafting materials. Our Shaker Desk is great because with the choice of either a chestnut or golden oak stain, it will coordinate with all home decor styles. If you need more space, we have a Large Shaker Desk, which offers two drawers instead.

Another new Shaker option at SYW is our Shaker Side Cabinet, seen here to the left. This side cabinet is great because it doubles as both a storage cabinet and an accent or end table. Designed to fit into smaller spaces, a front cabinet door opens to a spacious interior, while a bottom shelf and top table surface offer additional display space. This distinctive piece is also available in the chestnut (shown) or golden oak stain.

All of the new product mentioned here is proudly made in the USA of American hardwood that complies with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative of Northeast forests. A five step finishing process protects the furniture from moisture or stains; ensuring its durability and longevity for years to come in your home.