David Proper (1933-2014) was Librarian at Historic Deerfield (Massachusetts), and a former Trustee of both Shaker Village, Inc., Canterbury, N.H. and Sabbathday Lake, ME. The David Proper Shaker Manuscript Collection contains over 200 titles of primary and secondary Shaker materials, as well as over 50 works on utopian-communal life. The collection also contains Proper's personal files with correspondence from six…
Eleanor Parmenter (1914-1994) was brought up with the Shakers at East Canterbury for several years along with several other orphaned and abandoned children. While at Canterbury, Eleanor attended school taught by Sister Marguerite Frost. She worked alongside the Shaker sisters and participated in many aspects of life at the Village, including the Shakers’ numerous plays, parades, and day trips. The Eleanor Parmenter…
Shaker of Enfield, N.H., musician, and poet. Composer of the popular Shaker song "Millenial Praise". Music book kept by James Russell of Enfield, N.H. The first 56 pages of the book contain a 12 section lesson on the principles of music. Pages 58-145 contain hymns and poems Russell wrote for the funerals of numerous Enfield and Canterbury, N.H. Shakers. The final hymn in the book, written in a different hand, is a funeral hymn for Russell. Also included in the book are two poems: one is a…
John Lyon was an Elder of the North Family at the Enfield Shaker Community, in Enfield N.H. Sermon written by Elder John Lyon of the Enfield, N.H. Shakers. The sermon, titled “The Apocalypse Explained,” is a commentary on the Book of Revelations from the New Testament of the Bible.
Viola C. Codman (1832-1931) may have been a Shaker for some period of her life, though she later married and had children. She may or may not be the original author of the music portion of the book. Has the name Viola C. Codman of Brattleboro, Vermont written inside. About half the book is holograph copies of hymns with shape notes, the other half contains newspaper clippings of recipes.
Shaker Ministry of Canterbury, N. H. Three-page letter to John Beck of Enfield, N.H. January 22, 1836, containing a wealth of information about evolving dietary practices among Believers and the perceived benefits resulting from them. It also notes the decreased use of alcohol and, especially among the young, tobacco, as well as the sparing consumption of animal foods. Of topical interest, given the current climate towards tobacco, is the advice, taken from Mother Lucy, “not to gather a party…
The Works Project Administration (WPA) was created under President F. D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Program in 1935. Designed to provide relief for the Nation’s unemployed, the WPA provided jobs on public work projects. The photographers on the Federal Art Project served both the WPA itself and other units of government. They photographed everything from construction projects to materials for publicity handouts. They also…
The Works Projects Administration (WPA) was created under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program in 1935. The Historical Records Survey of New Hampshire, established in 1936, was one of its public works projects. The University of New Hampshire assumed control of the project in 1939, when state sponsorship became mandatory, and was directed by Eric Huddleston until its termination in 1942. The Historical Records Survey…
