Sonyea in Livingston County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Site of the Groveland Shaker Community

Historic New York

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 24, 2015

1. Site of the Groveland Shaker Community Marker

Inscription. On this site the eighteenth and last Shaker community in America was founded in 1836 by members of the Sodus Bay Shaker community. The Shakers, formerly known as the United States Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, were a religious communal group that came from England in 1774. The first settlement was in Watervliet near Albany, N.Y. Known for their industry and diligence, the Shakers sold lumber, agricultural products and handicrafts. Their founder, Mother An Lee, incorporated simple dance movements and singing in the worship ritual. The practice of celibacy made them dependent on converts and the adoption of orphans for membership. A decline in membership and financial problems led to the closing of the Groveland community in 1892, and the remaining members moved to the Shaker community at Watervliet, N.Y. The Shakers sold the Groveland property to the State of New York in 1894 for the purpose of establishing the Craig Colony for Epileptics which became a noted institution for the care of the handicapped.

Erected 1985 by New York State Education Department, New York State Department of Correctional Services.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures

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• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Communal and Utopian Societies, and the Historic New York State series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 42° 40.604′ N, 77° 50.49′ W. Marker is in Sonyea, New York, in Livingston County. It is at the intersection of Moyer Road and Brill Drive, on the left when traveling south on Moyer Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dansville NY 14437, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

in the Finger Lakes,

and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area.

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 the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sonyea Shaker Community (approx. ¾ mile away); Old Genesee Valley Canal (approx. 0.8 miles away); Poetry Pioneer (approx. 1.9 miles away); This Park Dedicated to the Men of 3rd U.S. Marines (approx. 3.2 miles away); In Honor of the Mount Morris Veterans (approx. 3.2 miles away); Birthplace of Francis Bellamy (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Genesee Valley (approx. 3.6 miles away); John W. Powell (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sonyea.

More about this marker. The "Sonyea" zip code 14556 is exclusively for the state prison.

Marker & Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 24, 2015

2. Marker & Site

South & East Sides image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 24, 2015

3. South & East Sides

Seneca Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 24, 2015

4. Seneca Building

Locked and apparently under renovations.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 24, 2015

5. West Side

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 24, 2015

6. North Side

Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 1,711 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 26, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.