Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Creamery (1856)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2018
1. Creamery (1856) Marker
The Shakers stored milk in the creamery to keep it cool. Milk was brought from the barn in large milk cans, which were then kept cool in troughs filled by water diverted from the creek. Later the building was used as a hen house; now it is used for broom-making demonstrations.
The Creamery was located midway between the cow barn and dairy rooms in the basement of the Sisters' Shop. A stone bridge crossed Shaker Creek where the wooden footbridge is today, connecting these locations.
Erected by Shaker Heritage Society of Albany, New York.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Man-Made Features • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Communal and Utopian Societies series list.
Location. 42° 44.532′ N, 73° 48.731′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It can be reached from Meeting House Road. Marker and building are about 400 feet NNW of the Meeting House/Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 Meeting House Road, Albany NY 12211, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Capital District. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Herb Garden & Drying House (1856) (within shouting distance
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Watervliet Shaker Historic District. National Park service website entry (Submitted on March 31, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Shaker Heritage Society of Albany, New York. Society website homepage (Submitted on March 31, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Shaker Heritage Society of Albany, New York on Facebook. (Submitted on March 31, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. Watervliet Shaker Historic District - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2018
2. Creamery (1856) and Marker
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, September 23, 2015
3. The Creamery
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, September 23, 2015
4. The Shaker Heritage Society Creamery Building
The Shaker Heritage Society is actively concerned with preserving the integrity of the Watervliet Shaker National Historic District, site of Americas first Shaker settlement. The broom corn growing in the foreground is used in the broom-making demonstrations.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, January 29, 2026
5. Creamery (1856) Marker
The Creamery (1856) Marker appears to be missing from the side of the building in this view.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on September 27, 2022, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 5. submitted on January 29, 2026, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.
