The Shaker Historical Society was founded in 1947 to preserve and share the history of the North Union Shaker community. In the 75 years since our founding, we have expanded the stories we tell and are continually working toward becoming a community history center that is truly for all. We have spent this milestone anniversary year reflecting on our past and aiming toward a bright future while still adapting to ever-changing pandemic life.

As individuals, we have adjusted to new ways of living, communicating, and working, and the Shaker Historical Society is no different. The way the museum operated only three years ago is no longer possible, and although we have created positive momentum since the pandemic began in March 2020, staff and board turnover, burnout, and difficulty securing funding have taken their toll.

While some aspects of personal life—school, work, vacations, entertainment—have returned to a semblance of normality, small non-profits like us are still experiencing lasting economic hardships with rising operational costs. Frankly, 2022 has been the most challenging pandemic year yet. This is not the first or even second time we have faced a difficult situation, and we know the Shaker Historical Society will survive, as we always do, with the generous support of our community.