Individual Identities

Individual Identities. The West Family Dwelling, 1821. , Completed in 1821, the West Family Dwelling housed up to 65 members of the West Family, the Second Order of the Church, at Pleasant Hill. The large dormitory replaced the Old Stone Shop as home for the members of this spiritual family, and was ideal to accommodate a growing village., Although the Shakers practiced an egalitarian and communal lifestyle, they were not free from the influence of individualism. Each of the three main spiritual families at Pleasant Hill eventually took on their own personality. Home to renowned Shakers such as William and Francis Pennebaker, the West Family became the most unorthodox household. With the Pennebaker brothers as their leaders, the West family was involved in a string of legal battles and eventually seceded from the Church in 1878. Upon William's death in 1922, the building became the site of the Pennebaker School for Girls., (Captions):, Shaker William Pennebaker was a longtime resident of the West Family, and the last brother to live at Pleasant Hill. After his death in 1922, the West Family Dwelling became the Pennebaker School for Girls. , c. Early 20th century, Credit: Max Charleston Collection, The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, KY, Background Image: Built in 1821 to replace the previous West Family Dwelling (the Old Stone Shop just to the east) this large structure housed up to 65 Shakers at a time. , c. Late 19th century, Young boy stands in the location of todays asphalt road, accessing the structures of the West Family. , c. Early 20th century, "This has been a cloudy smoky dark day. Note Yesterday the West Family was established as an independent Family. They are to have the management of their work and farm and property independent of the Center Family.", - James L. Ballance, January 15, 1878 , Credit: Filson Historical Society