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Shaker Heritage Society

25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY
518-456-7890
Website
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Ranked #17 of 28 attractions in Albany
Type: Historic Sites
Owner description: Site of the first Shaker community. Located adjacent to Albany International Airport, the historic site features nine Shaker buildings, an herb... more » Owner description: Site of the first Shaker community. Located adjacent to Albany International Airport, the historic site features nine Shaker buildings, an herb garden, apple orchard and cemetery where Shaker founder, Ann Lee is buried. The 1848 Shaker Meeting House contains a small museum and gift shop. Hiking trails are available at the adjacent Ann Lee Pond Wildlife Preserve. « less
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9 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
NY
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 March 2013

The meeting house is in good shape and has a good historical exhibit, but the highlight was the staffer who spent a great deal of time with us patiently answering questions and providing interesting historical details. There's no tour, but you can get a map and walk the grounds. Unfortunately, none of the other buildings are open, but you still... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by Larry K for Albany
CAMP HILL
Top Contributor
131 reviews 131 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 53 cities Reviews in 53 cities
49 helpful votes 49 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 September 2012

On Sunday of Labor Day Weekend it was closed. Then I discovered that it was only open Saturdays. There should be more interpretation outside for those of us who travel through the area.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 4 more reviews by Courthouse067 for Albany
ShakerWV, Manager at Shaker Heritage Society, responded to this review
6 September 2012

We are so sorry that we missed you! The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:30am-4pm. February through October. From late Oct through mid-Dec. we are open Monday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. We are closed in January. We wish that we could be open more hours too. Small museums work hard to serve the public but our staffing resources are very limited. We... More

Rainbow Lake, New York, United States
Top Contributor
68 reviews 68 reviews
26 attraction reviews
Reviews in 32 cities Reviews in 32 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 August 2012

This small, often overlooked museum, located across from the Albany Airport is a real find. There is a restored meeting house with informative signs around the room. One can get a small sense of what the Shaker way of life in the past must have been like. There is a fine gift shop with books and many Shaker items for... More

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See 3 more reviews by Patrick E for Albany
Upstate NY
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
30 attraction reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 August 2012

We took our Girl Scout troop to the site and it was ok. The history of how it came about is incredibly interesting, but there isn't a whole lot to see. I wish there had been a little more.

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See 9 more reviews by M W for Albany
ColoNativeGirl, Manager at Shaker Heritage Society, responded to this review
3 August 2012

We offer several programs for Girl Scouts that include visiting our farm animals and hands-on activities such as weaving that reflect the daily life of children who grew up in the Shaker community. Perhaps your group was unaware of these opportunities. In response to your comment, we will work harder to ensure that everyone is aware of those opportunities as... More

Madison, Wisconsin
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 July 2012

The place is in disarray and buildings are falling apart.

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See 3 more reviews by MadisonUrbans for Albany
ColoNativeGirl, Manager at Shaker Heritage Society, responded to this review
26 July 2012

Thank you for your comment. It is true that many of the buildings need significant stabilization work and the site does look neglected. However, Shaker Heritage Society is actively working to remedy that problem. In November of 2010, we obtained a long term lease from Albany County, which has owned the Site since 1925. The lease allows us to secure... More

Darien, Connecticut
Top Contributor
172 reviews 172 reviews
40 attraction reviews
Reviews in 76 cities Reviews in 76 cities
145 helpful votes 145 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 July 2012

Follow the signs to Albany Airport and you're a minute from this historic site. Well worth visiting. This is where the Shakers first. Got established in the US and while it's nowhere as big and extensive a exhibit as Hancock Mass, the old Meeting House has a small museum and an interesting gift shop. There's a July Crafts Fair and... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 2 more reviews by Cameron06820 for Albany
Greenfield MA
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 June 2012

This is the site of the original Shaker settlements. (There are still several adults living in Shaker life in Maine.) It dates to the era of the American Revolution; and the founder, Ann Lee, is buried in a very fascinating cemetery on the premises. There have been a lot of changes to it over those years, including the intrusion of... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Upstate NY
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
28 attraction reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

The Watervliet Shaker Historic District is preserved by the Shaker Heritage Society and is the first place where in 1774 Mother Ann Lee arrived in America and established a new religious society of celibate men and women. There are several bulidings, including an 1848 Meeting House with a Museum and gift shop and a Shaker barn. The historic area includes... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 6 more reviews by MarthaJulia for Albany
Rotterdam, New York
Top Contributor
60 reviews 60 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 February 2012

It like steping back in time, These women ( Shakers Sister ) Were way ahead of their time. Many inventions that they hang there badge on. Its a Must! Hancock Village in MA is the Best!

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See 8 more reviews by David B for Albany

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