Professor Sharon

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Our day started with a two hour bus ride to Sodus Bay to see what is left of a community that resided there for a short time — staying (I think I have this right) about 10 years starting in 1826.

There are only three original buildings left on the site — the land has been privately owned since then. It is now an animal rescue operation. This picture is the Shaker built barn.

This is the back of the dwelling house, located in front of the barn.

I’m not sure I’ve gotten his name correctly – but this is the current owner – Griff who gave us a history of the property. We are sitting on the front porch of the dwelling house. I believe he said his grandfather purchased the property about 1930.

This is inside the dwelling house -his private home – the numbering of the rooms in place since the Shakers resided there still in evidence. The staircase and rail were original as well. There were three floors, and some peg rails and a room set up with Shaker items; but I wasn’t sure how many of them were authentic.

After lunch, we sat in a room in the corner of another barn on the farm and heard: “Putting Sodus Shaker Village on the Map” presented by Walter Brumm. A very fascinating history using maps of how this particular site was acquired and settled and some of the mysteries Mr. Brumm is attempting to solve about buildings they lived and worked in, as well as some interesting place name challenges.

After a 2 hour bus ride back, and dinner in the Science Center Atrium, the traditional evening gathering and trading session took place in one of the dorm lounges. Here hubby and a participant are working on the accurate placement of one of the communities on www.Shakertown.net

And, one last picture just because I love clouds and it’s been a week of on and off rain storms, a beautiful evening shot of the sky above Hamilton.