1700
1800
1900
2000
Ann Lee is born
Born in Manchester, England, she was the illiterate daughter of a blacksmith.
1736
Ann Lee arrives in America
Ann was a member of the Wardley Society which was known as the Shaking Quakers. The group faced religious persecution in England and they fled to America to find a place to live and worship in peace.
1774
John Hocknell leased 200 acres of land near Albany where Ann Lee and 8 followers gathered.
1775
Declaration of Independence of the United States of America
1776
Watervliet
Ann Lee and her group established the first Shaker communal religious society in a leased tract of swampland northwest of Albany.
1776
First Dwelling House
A simple structure to house the members of Ann Lee party.
1778
Mother Ann Lee begins missionary journey
Ann Lee embarked upon a three year missionary journey through the northeast.
1780
Second Dwelling House
1783-1929
1783
Log Meeting House
1784
Ann Lee dies
Mother Ann Lee died on September 8, 1784, at the age of 48.
1784
Shaker Community
Mount Lebanon, NY
1787
North Barn
Burnt by arson in 1915
1788
Bill of Rights Adopted
The United States Bill of Rights lists the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.
1789
Shaker community at Hancock, MA
1790
Shaker Garden Seed industry established
The seed industry will grow to become the most important activity of Watervliet. It was innovative in its use of package seeds in boxes and envelopes.
1790
Meeting House
Central place of worship for 58 years, the structure was demolished in 1927.
1791
Shaker communities
Tyringham, MA
Enfield, CT
Canterbury, NH
Enfield, CT
Canterbury, NH
1792
Shaker Communities
Enfield, NH
Shirley, MA
Alfred, ME
Shirley, MA
Alfred, ME
1793
Fugitive Slave Act Passed
The Shakers were ahead of their time concerning beliefs about race and gender equality. They offered shelter to some runaway slaves.
1793
Long Shop
The first Sisters' Shop, demolished in 1838.
1793
Shaker Communities
Sabbath Lake, ME
1794
Tan House
1794
Old Office, demolished in 1848.
1795
Wagon House, demolished in 1900.
1795
First Shaker School House
The Shakers built three school houses during their time in Watervliet. The first building was demolished in 1823.
1796
South Barn, demolished in 1915.
1798
Thomas Jefferson is elected President of the United States
1801
Shaker Communities
Union Village, OH
Watervliet, OH
South Union, KY
Watervliet, OH
South Union, KY
1806
Lewis and Clark reach St. Louis.
1806
Office Barn, demolished in 1838.
1808
Wash House
Laundry was a major undertaking in the community. The original building was demolished in 1858.
1809
Shaker Communities
West Union, IN
1810
Sheep Barn, demolished in 1906.
1811
Grist Mill
The Shakers dradged portions of their property to add a new pond for a new mill, which powered many industries in Watervliet. The first mill was demolished in 1842.
1812
Shaker Communities
Pleasant Hill, KY
1814
Blacksmith Shop, demolished in 1929 after the Shakers left Watervliet.
1815
Dwelling House
Also known as Bell House due to the bell on the rooftop that summoned Shaker members to meals, work and worship for 81 years. The building was demolished in 1929 but the Meneely Bell is part of the SHS collection.
1816
Construction of Erie Canal begins
The Watervliet Shakers shipped a variety of goods to the mid-west via the Erie Canal.
1817
First Shaker Millennial Laws were published
Written by Mother Lucy Wright, the volume organized the extensive set of rules she developed over her 25 years of leadership.
1821
Shaker Communities
North Union, OH
1822
Brethrens Workshop
This structure is the oldest Shaker building remaining on the Church Family grounds.
1822
Second School House, demolished in 1850.
1823
Shaker Communities
White Water, OH
1824
Ministry Workshop
This building provided workspace for the Shaker Elders and remains on the Church Family site.
1825
Pig Pen, demolished in 1929.
1825
Seed House
Managed by the Sisters, this building was upgraded in 1852.
1826
Shaker Communities
Groveland, NY
Sodus Bay, NY
Sodus Bay, NY
1826
Trustees Office
The building where select Shakers known as Trustees conducted business with the outside world. It remains on the Church Family site.
1830
Joseph Smith founds Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
1830
Shaker revival known as Era of Manifestations begins
1837
Buckingham Map
David A. Buckingham creates an inventory of the structures and lands in the Church Family. The map portrays landscape features such as a botanical garden, pastures, pathways, and around fifty-six buildings, from shops and dwelling houses to minor structures.
1838
Sisters' Shop
Stone building where the Sisters produced goods sold to the World. It was demolished in 1929 after the Shakers left.
1838
Store House, demolished in 1859.
1838
Seed Shop / Garden House
The seed industry was a very sucessful Shaker business. It was demolished in 1859.
1838
Herb Shop
Upgraded in 1856, the Herb Shop produced medicinal and cullinary herbs for sale. The building was demolished in 1929.
1838
Second Grist Mill
Built on the North side of the road close to the Ann Lee Pond, the updated mill had four waterwheels, one for running machinery, one for the saw mill and two for the grist mills. It was destroyed by a fire in 1886.
1842
Meeting House
The Shaker Meeting House is the heart the first Shaker settlement in America and currently serves as the headquarters for the Shaker Heritage Society.
1848
Third School House
The school served the children living at the Shaker community and by early 20th century was incorporated as part of the Watervliet School District. The building was remodeled in 1927 into a power house.
1850
Drying House
Originally built as an herb drying house, it was an integral part of the herb drying industry. The drying house stands today at the Church Family site.
1856
Wash House and Cannery
Canning was a major industry for the Shakers, who produced cans of corn, beans, pears, peaches, applesauce, beets, and tomatoes. The building also housed an industrial size washing machine, a Shaker innovation. The building still stands at the Church Family.
1858
Hired Men House
The Shakers employed hired help to assist with the many tasks from their industries, which lived outside the community. The structure was demolished in 1929.
1859
Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th President of the United States
1861
Shakers were allowed to be exempted from military service.
1863
Ice House and Barn, demolished in 1929.
1863
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation proclaiming that freedom of the slaves in the rebellious states during the Civil War
1863
General Lee surrenders at Appomattox Court House in Virginia
1865
Mary Baker Eddy establishes Church of Christian Science in Boston, MA
1879
Third Grist Mill
This structure replaced the second mill after a fire. It was demolished after the Shakers sold the Church Family to Albany County in 1925.
1888
Wright Brothers' First Flight in Kitty Hawk, NC
1903
World War I begins
1914
A fire destroys the barn complex at Church Family. A new barn is built by hired help supervised by Elder Josiah Barker.
1914
Barn
The Shakers built this barn only 10 years before the Church Family was closed due to declining membership. The design included several innovations. The Barn was renovated in 2015 and is an exceptional example of an intact 20th century barn complex.
1915
The North Family closes.
1919
Garage
This is the last structure built by the Shaker in the Watervliet. It remains at the Church Family grounds.
1920
The Church Family is purchased by the Albany County.
1925
Ann Lee Powerhouse
The last Shaker School House is converted into a powerhouse.
1927
Fire destroys 13 buildings of North Family.
1927
Albany Airport opens, built over portions of what once was the Church Family's agricultural fields.
1928
Ann Lee Nursing Home opens on the former Church Family Site.
1930
Fire destroys the remaining buildings of the North Family.
1932
Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President of the United States
1932
The end of Shakers in Watervliet
Shaker South Family closes, ending Shaker presence in Albany area.
1936
World War II begins
1939
Watervliet Shaker Historic District placed on National Register of Historic Places.
1973
Shaker Heritage Society (SHS) is founded and receives a Certificate of Incorporation.
1977
Recapturing Wisdom's Valley by Dorothy M. Filley is published.
1977
Shaker Heritage Society (SHS) completes the Meeting House Historic Structures Report.
1981
Lease of the Meeting House
In 1984 the Shaker Heritage Society leases the Meeting House for one year. A 5-year lease is executed the following year and the Albany County pledges $50,000/year for 5 years for Meeting House repairs.
1984
The Meeting House receives new floor and thhe south end is renovated.
1986
The Herb Garden is established.
1990
Survey and Mapping of the Church Family
City/Scape survey of the Church family buildings and lands is completed. The document provides inputs for the Virtual Watervliet reconstruction.
1992
Historical Marker
New Mother Ann Lee historical marker received from State Women's History.
1999
The 1915 Shaker Barn undergoes a first round of renovations with fundings from ISTEA and Albany County. Renovations wrap in 2001.
2000
1848 Meeting House Restoration
Removal of brick façade added by Albany County in 1930’s and repairs to insect-damaged structural beams in basement and roof. Installation of rigid foam insulation and wooden clapboard siding. The restoration is completed in 2007.
2006
Church Family Master Plan
Argus Architects Master Plan completed. It guides the SHS's work in undertaking several building stabilization projects and reducing adverse impacts of new development within the historic district.
2007
Church Family Maintenance
In 2010, the SHS installs of bridge across Shaker Creek by Northeastern Woodworkers Association. In 2012, the Drying House is stabilized with new slate roof, copper flashing, exterior envelope, and door.
2012
Virtual Watervliet launches
The portal provides a powerful tool for interpreting the history of the settlement and the lives of the Shakers that lived there. The portal included a virtual tour through the Church Family in its 1838 configuration.
2013
Stabilization of 1915 Barn Complex is completed in 2015. The Barn is first rented in 2016.
2016
Google Earth shuts down. The virtual tour for the 3D reconstruction of the site is no longer online.
2017
Seven to Save
Preservation League recognizes Watervliet Shaker National Historic District as one of its “Seven to Save” sites.
2018
Shaker Heritage Society signs 50-year lease with Albany County for Church Family property
2020
Online access to Virtual Watervliet is taken down in November 2020. SHS starts plans for a new portal with updated visualization technologies.
2020
SHS secures funding for the redesign and relaunch of portions of the Virtual Watervlie portal.
2021
A new fence is installed around historic apple orchard by Albany County Project Growth and the 1915 Barn Complex is repainted in historically appropriate color.
2021
Buildings Renovation
Repairs to Wash House roof and new roofs installed on Trustees’ Office, Brethren’s Workshop, and Shaker Garage with funding from New York State Regional Economic Development Council and Albany County.
2022
Relaunch of Virtual Watervliet
The portal is once again available to online visitors and SHS secures funding to complete the relaunch of the 3D virtual tour of the Church Family, planned for the 2nd quarter of 2022.
2022