Online educational resources, produced in-house, are highlighted with our bi-monthly “Preservation Update” series. These videos explore the many groundbreaking preservation projects taking place at South Union throughout the year.

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
In celebration of #NationalPreservationMonth we bring you an update on the 1854 Wash House. Thanks to funding from Brian Lankford, we have had the woodwork and doors reproduced from Vintage Millworks. Thanks to Susan Buck from Colonial Williamsburg for conducting paint analysis that revealed the original interior woodwork to be a mustard yellow. Stay tuned for many more updates to come.

In celebration of #NationalPreservationMonth we br…

For our final "Objects from the Outer Branch" video of the year, we are going out with a bang! While this is not a new object, it is an important replication of the range from the kitchen of the 1824 Centre House. We are thankful to the Americana Corner Grant that allowed us recreate this important architectural and educational component. Many thanks to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series! Special thanks to PTL Fabricators for making the top of the range, Hellcat Forge for the blacksmith work in the doors, and Kenneth Walker, our excellent brickmason.

For our final “Objects from the Outer Branch” vide…

This Object from the Outer Branch represents the history of the South Union Station. This area came to be in the 1860s upon the completion of the L&N Railroad. There was a hotel, a general store, blacksmith, livery stable, and more. These railroad signs identified the location for those traveling by train. Today the 1869 South Union Hotel and the 1917 Store building are the two remaining Shaker structures at the South Union station. Many thanks to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

This Object from the Outer Branch represents the h…

This "Object from the Outer Branch" is a recent acquisition to the museum that is also a rare find. This woolen blanket, made at South Union, is marked with an "O F" which stands for "Office Family." This indicates that the blanket, along with the basket with the same marking, were used by those in the Trustees Office. We are grateful to Currie and Judy Milliken for donating this to the museum. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

This “Object from the Outer Branch” is a recent ac…

These "Objects from the Outer Branch" reflect the profilic nature of Elder Harvey Eades' authorship. The first edition of "Shaker Theology" was published in 1879, with four editions following over the next ten years. The first two editions were printed in New York, and the last three at South Union. Many thanks to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

These “Objects from the Outer Branch” reflect the …

People often ask about the foodways and diet of the Shakers at South Union. This "Object from the Outer Branch" is a pail that was delivered to the village carrying roasted coffee. This was likely orderd and sent to the village during the later part of the 19th century via the railroad. In the mid 19th century, the Shakers had a prohibition on "stimulating drinks" like coffee. In it's stead, sassafras and chicory teas became the alternative drinks until the ban was lifted. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

People often ask about the foodways and diet of th…

This week's "Object from the Outer Branch" highlights a piece of mochaware pottery that was used by the Shakers at South Union. Looking at this pitcher, and bits of white ironstone found through archeology, it is clear that the Shakers did not adhere to the simple furnishings as we typically think. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

This week’s “Object from the Outer Branch” highlig…

Our "Object from the Outer Branch" is a lesser-known Shaker invention, the "tin lily." This specialized lighting fixture was made on site in the tin shop, and was designed to vent kerosene fumes out of the room. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

Our “Object from the Outer Branch” is a lesser-kno…

As the month of September approaches, we will be sharing Objects from the Outer Branch that relate to the auctions that happened as the village closed. The final auction that ended up with the sale of the Shakers' farm took place in September of 1922. But did you know this wasn't the first and only dissolution sale of the village? Watch to learn more about the final days at South Union. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

As the month of September approaches, we will be s…

Bright colors have always been on trend at South Union! This "Object from the Outer Branch" is a paint brush that has excellent provence to the village. From the architecture to furniture, there are many examples of the Shakers' use of brilliant colors throughout the village. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

Bright colors have always been on trend at South U…

Our "Object from the Outer Branch" this week is a preserve jar with a label partially intact. The preserve industry at South Union was led by the sisters in the community and sold by the brethren on their "peddling trips" throughout the south, going as far as New Orleans. This jar and label is a reminder of the industrious spirit that prevailed in all of the Shaker villages. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

Our “Object from the Outer Branch” this week is a …

This week's Object from the Outer Branch is a manuscript that was added to the collection this week. The post card, written by Urban Johns to George Harris of Franklin, Kentucky, offers a look into the business dealings of the Shakers in 1877. Urban Johns came to South Union as a boy and rose to leadership in his adulthood. In this manuscript, Urban Johns is declining the opportunity to purchase grapes for making wine as they already had a supply. The Shakers at South Union were making wine for sale, but also for their own consumption. We are grateful to have received this rare document as a donation to the collection! Many thanks to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

This week’s Object from the Outer Branch is a manu…

Objects from the Outer Branch: Lollipop Grave Marker - This week we are featuring a fragment of a cast iron grave marker, referred to as a "lollipop" marker. These markers, which take its name from the distinctive shape, can still be seen intact at Harvard, Massachusetts. The fragment we are highlighting today memorialized Margaret Pickens, a woman who joined the Shakers at South Union in the 1830s and passed away in the 1850s as a result of typhoid. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

Objects from the Outer Branch: Lollipop Grave Marker

This week we are featuring a fragment of a cast ir…

Objects from the Outer Branch: Post Office - This week we are sharing part of the Shakers' Post Office from the turn of the 20the century. The Shakers first post office was established in 1826 in the community, and the South Union post office operated until 2005. Today, June 20, the US Postal Service is commemorating 250 years of Shakers in America with a set of 12 stamps that feature iconic Shaker images. South Union is featured in two of these stamps with the front hall of the Centre House and several silks from the village. At SUSV we are celebrating 250 years of Shakers in America with our Annual Appeal. If you would like to contribute our preservation efforts, visit our website at www.southunionshakervillage.com Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

Objects from the Outer Branch: Post Office

This week we are sharing part of the Shakers’ Post…

Part Two of our “Objects from the Outer Branch” featuring this basket made by Robert Houston. This week we are discussing the person who owned the basket, Cyrus Blakey. Blakey was one of just a handful of South Union Shakers who was actually born in the community. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

Part Two of our “Objects from the Outer Branch�…

Objects from the Outer Branch - This week we are highlighting a South Union basket that was used at the North Family, and likely made by Robert Houston. Watch to learn more about Robert and his story at South Union. Thank you to Case Auctions for sponsoring this series!

Objects from the Outer Branch

This week we are highlighting a South Union basket…

This week our “Objects from the Outer Branch” features two planes owned by Robert Johns. Watch to hear the story of how another Shaker accurately predicted his death. Thank you to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

This week our “Objects from the Outer Branch” …

Objects from the Outer Branch - This letter and envelope came to the museum this week, and both feature the name “WJ McGown” along with an image of a Shaker window sash balance. McGown was a trusted business leader within the community for many years, but left in 1876 and started a new life in Texas. According to newspaper articles, McGown used the business acumen he gained in the community and amassed a fortune in his new venture. Thank you to @case_auctions for sponsoring this series!

Objects from the Outer Branch

This letter and envelope came to the museum this w…

Today’s “Objects from the Outer Branch” features a very special item from the collection that belonged to Eldress Malinda Buchanan. This snuff box was gifted to her from Union Village Sister, Eunice Patterson. Malinda’s role is significant in Shaker history as she was the first Kentuckian to rise to the rank of Eldress among the Kentucky Shaker villages. We are appreciative to Cheryl Kline for donating this snuff box to the museum’s collection. Many thanks to Case Antiques for sponsoring this series!

Today’s “Objects from the Outer Branch” feat…

load more videos

SUSV

South Union Shaker Village

1-270 542 4167

896 Shaker Museum Road
Auburn, KY 42206

mailing address:
PO Box 177 / Auburn, KY 42206

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

stay in touch