SOUTH UNION SHAKER VILLAGE

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Plank-bottom chairs are not what you typically think of when you think of chairs in Shaker communities, but these four styles were purchased and used by the Shakers at South Union.

Plank-bottom chairs are not what you typically thi…

This #FurnitureFriday is a candlestand with a unique base that has strong provenance to the 1922 auction.

This #FurnitureFriday is a candlestand with a uniq…

Our #FurnitureFriday this week is a flight of shelves that were found in the Centre House. The shelves retain much of the original red paint and have detailed shelf supports.

Our #FurnitureFriday this week is a flight of shel…

This #FurnitureFriday features an Empire-style bureau that was purchased from the 1922 auction. While we cannot say with certainty that it was made here in the village, it does have characteristics seen in other pieces in the collection.

This #FurnitureFriday features an Empire-style bur…

This week's #FurnitureFriday is on the road! We are taking a look at a chair made in "the world" that the Shakers at Pleasant Hill and South Union purchased for their dining rooms. This all points to the fact that even though South Union and Pleasant Hill have the largest collection of Kentucky Shaker furniture, there are still many pieces missing. Many thanks to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Curator of Collections, Becky Soules, for making an appearance in our video today!

This week's #FurnitureFriday is on the road! …

Furniture Friday: Press - The Kentucky Shakers made presses or cupboards that could be used in a variety of places. A press wasn’t necessarily made for a specific base. Here is an example.

Furniture Friday: Press

The Kentucky Shakers made presses or cupboards tha…

Furniture Friday: Tripod Stand - A tripod stand or, candle stand, is a classic form of early 19th century furniture. This cherry example was purchased at the 1922 auction and retains much of its original color.

Furniture Friday: Tripod Stand

A tripod stand or, candle stand, is a classic form…

Furniture Friday: Maple Settee - This late 19th century maple settee has features that are reminiscent of those seen in pieces made at South Union in the 1830s.

Furniture Friday: Maple Settee

This late 19th century maple settee has features t…

Furniture Friday: Bureau - Decorative features abound at South Union. Here is an unusual molding around the top that we do not see on other pieces in the collection.

Furniture Friday: Bureau

Decorative features abound at South Union. Here is…

Furniture Friday: Work Table - This table in the 1835 Smoke House is a great example of a work table with classic South Union features.

Furniture Friday: Work Table

This table in the 1835 Smoke House is a great exam…

Furniture Friday: Chair Comparison - This week we are taking a look at two chairs that are similarly crafted, though one has a unique distinction—the “barrel” finials. Both of these chairs were made at South Union but show how different craftsmen implement their own style.

Furniture Friday: Chair Comparison

This week we are taking a look at two chairs that …

Furniture Friday: Franklin Stove - This new installation in our Nurse’s Room exhibit helps to complete the story of the nurses who lived in the Centre House. In the late 19th century, they requested to have a cook stove installed, just like the one featured here.

Furniture Friday: Franklin Stove

This new installation in our Nurse’s Room ex…

Furniture Friday: Wood Box - This firewood box was donated to the museum just this week. It has strong history relating to South Union, so we are pleased to have it in the collection. Many thanks to Ernie and Elaine Ezell for donating this piece.

Furniture Friday: Wood Box

This firewood box was donated to the museum just t…

Furniture Friday: Work Table - This ca. 1850s work table is another example of a piece that is more decorative than Shaker furniture from the East. The table is walnut and has classic South Union features, such as the cut corners and turned feet.

Furniture Friday: Work Table

This ca. 1850s work table is another example of a …

Furniture Friday: “Worldly” Settee - While this settee certainly is not Shaker, we know it was used here at South Union. It is another example of “worldly” furniture that was likely brought in by new converts upon joining the community.

Furniture Friday: “Worldly” Settee

While this settee certainly is not Shaker, we know…

Furniture Friday: Child’s Chair - This unique child’s chair was recently donated to the museum. It has some characteristics that we find in other chairs in the collection, such as the finial.

Furniture Friday: Child’s Chair

This unique child’s chair was recently donat…

Furniture Friday: Cherry Work Table - This week we are taking a look at a ca. 1840s cherry work table that has features typical to South Union furniture. One exception is the set of glass knobs, which appear to be original to the piece.

Furniture Friday: Cherry Work Table

This week we are taking a look at a ca. 1840s cher…

Furniture Friday: Ca. 1830s Corded Bed - This corded bed is an excellent example of furniture with classic South Union features. The bottle-turned foot and use of lambs-tongue turnings are features that we see throughout the collection and building.

Furniture Friday: Ca. 1830s Corded Bed

This corded bed is an excellent example of furnitu…

Furniture Friday: Classic South Union Table - This week we are featuring a work table that has classic South Union features, such as the pear foot and turned legs.

Furniture Friday: Classic South Union Table

This week we are featuring a work table that has c…

Furniture Friday: Linen Press - This week we are looking at another fine example of a linen press. This cherry and walnut piece was purchased at the 1922 sale, and was later sold back to the museum in 1961.

Furniture Friday: Linen Press

This week we are looking at another fine example o…

load more videos
Shaker Villagevideos + podcasts

SUSV

South Union Shaker Village

1-270 542 4167

896 Shaker Museum Road
Auburn, KY 42206

director@southunionshakervillage.com

info@southunionshakervillage.com

giftshop@southunionshakervillage.com

stay in touch

X