The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing was also called Shakers because of the shuffling dance they did during their worship services. They formed communities in Lebanon, Warren County and North Union (Shaker Heights), Cuyahoga County. Shakers believed in the equality of men and women, with members of both sexes serving as leaders of communities. The Shakers practiced celibacy and welcomed converts to grow their community. Shakers arrived in Ohio in 1805. The first three Shaker missionaries seeking converts in the state were John Meacham, Benjamin Youngs, and Issachar Bates. Shakers made productive livings from farming, as well as from their furniture-making endeavors.
Below are lists of select archival and library materials related to the Shakers, available for research at the Ohio History Connection Archives & Library. Review the catalog links below, or explore our Online Collections Catalog using a specific church name or related search terms for more information [example search terms: "Shakers", "United Society of Believers", "Shakers -- Periodical"].
The Day-Star. [Vault 286.705 D334]
The journal of Shaker studies. [289.805 J826]
The Manifesto. [289.805 M314]
The Shaker. [289.805 M314]
Shaker and Shakeress monthly. [289.805 M314]
The Shaker manifesto : official monthly, published by the United Societies [289.805 M314]
The Shaker messenger. [289.805 Sh153]
The Shaker quarterly. [289.805 Sh15]
The Shaker : official monthly, published by the United Societies. [289.805 M314]
Shakers world : a magazine for the scattered friends of Shaker. [289.805 Sh153]
Ohio : a communitarian microcosm, 1805-1850 [335.9771 C884o]
Shakers of Ohio; fugitive papers concerning the Shakers of Ohio, with unpublished manuscripts [289.8 M22s]
The Shaker way [745.1 M912s]
Shakerism; or, The romance of a religion [289.8 P54s]
Our Shaker heritage [289.8 Sch67]
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