About us and our work
The Shakers came from England in 1774, and by 1850 grew from a membership of nine to approximately 6,000 in villages throughout the eastern and central United States. Today, membership is small again, but this does not take away from the lasting mark that generations of Shaker Brothers and Sisters have made on our American heritage. Shaker furniture has been a major creative force in our decorative arts heritage because it is the one truly original American style of furniture. Its clear crisp lines and singular lightness (with no sacrifice in strength) fit equally well into both modern interiors and more traditional settings.
Shaker Workshops was founded in 1970 in Massachusetts with the purpose of reproducing original Shaker furniture as faithfully as possible. To this day, Shaker Workshops furniture is produced by skilled craftspeople from throughout New England. In the fall of 2019, the business relocated to Sandwich, New Hampshire where production continues under the stewardship of the Tappan Chair Company, itself a two-century-old New England furniture making business. In 2014, the last remaining active Shaker Community at Sabbathday Lake authorized and commissioned the Tappan Chair Company, in collaboration with Chilton Furniture, to resume production of the Community's own historic Alfred Shaker Rocker and Side Chair, in its name--a partnership which is unique in the world, and which continues to this day.
In a historic new development in 2020, the Tappan Chair Company presented the Sabbathday Lake Shakers with a nearly 25% ownership stake in itself and Shaker Workshops--in gratitude and testimony to the legacy of Shaker design and our relationship with the Living Shaker Community, which has enabled us to prosper and support ourselves, our families, and our communities over generations! Never before has the Shaker Community held ownership in a business of "the World" and we are proud of and deeply grateful for this chance to share in their history.
Shaker Workshops was founded in 1970 in Massachusetts with the purpose of reproducing original Shaker furniture as faithfully as possible. To this day, Shaker Workshops furniture is produced by skilled craftspeople from throughout New England. In the fall of 2019, the business relocated to Sandwich, New Hampshire where production continues under the stewardship of the Tappan Chair Company, itself a two-century-old New England furniture making business. In 2014, the last remaining active Shaker Community at Sabbathday Lake authorized and commissioned the Tappan Chair Company, in collaboration with Chilton Furniture, to resume production of the Community's own historic Alfred Shaker Rocker and Side Chair, in its name--a partnership which is unique in the world, and which continues to this day.
In a historic new development in 2020, the Tappan Chair Company presented the Sabbathday Lake Shakers with a nearly 25% ownership stake in itself and Shaker Workshops--in gratitude and testimony to the legacy of Shaker design and our relationship with the Living Shaker Community, which has enabled us to prosper and support ourselves, our families, and our communities over generations! Never before has the Shaker Community held ownership in a business of "the World" and we are proud of and deeply grateful for this chance to share in their history.
No aspect of Shaker history is more important in our minds than their reputation in business. “Their upright dealing and strict honesty, individually and collectively, all persons can testify to who have ever been brought into business relations with them. No Shaker was known to make a false statement in relation to any business transaction whatever.” So wrote Charles F. Robinson in his 1893 history of the Shakers. At Shaker Workshops, we think about this often. While we are not Shakers, we are honored to continue in the footsteps of their crafting tradition, and we continually seek to live up to that high standard.