A Woman's Work

A Woman's Work. West Family Support Buildings. , The Wash House (1842), the Preserve Shop (1859), and the Sisters' Shop (1845), were work spaces designated for the sisters of the West Family. Within these structures Shaker sisters performed a number of tasks including basket making, textile production, food preservation, and washing laundry for their spiritual family., Labor within Shaker communities was typically divided by gender, with women doing most of the domestic work. Free from the demands of motherhood, Shaker sisters were afforded a degree of autonomy in their industries. The Shakers considered work a form of worship, and every responsibility was given equal respect. Shaker women often found empowerment through their work, and some attained leadership roles., Shaker sisters enjoyed the assistance of significant comforts in their daily tasks. Sisters' workshops were equipped with state-of-the art sewing machines, looms, running water, and horse-powered agitators for doing the wash., (Captions):, Shaker sister Betsy Spaulding weaving. , c. Late 19th century, Background Image: View of the West Family Wash House, Preserve Shop and West Family Sisters' Shop. , 1940 , Credit: Clay Lancaster, "And early Monday morning bright the following work began Our useal (sic) washing we performed with animating speed And thus before the day was closed much more we did succeed Each fleece of wool we spread and burd also wove carpet too Now night has come and well we think no more today we'll do.", - Elizabeth Long, May 1855, Centre Family Journal, 1839-1860