At their 19th-century peak, the Shakers numbered 4,000 believers who lived a communal life devoted to achieving Christian perfection through celibacy, obedience to elders, and confession of sins, among other practices. When these photographs were taken, their numbers had shrunk to 12.
Shaker rooms reflect Shaker values of symmetry, order, and function. At Pleasant Hill (a restored Shaker settlement in Kentucky) women entered the dining room of the Centre Family dwelling house through the left, men through the right; they sat at separate tables. Pegboards enabled chairs to be hung out of the way so a room could be swept.
—From “The Shakers’ Brief Eternity,” September 1989, National Geographic magazine
Spice up your family's travels with this comprehensive collection of attractions from every state. These 3,500 family-friendly sights and activities are grouped by states and by categories of interest—and many of them are free!
Merry-go-rounds, deep-fried corndogs and high-flying Ferris wheels mark the start of state fair season. Submit your best summer fair pictures to the newest category of My Shot and view photos from other fairs across the country.
There are 58 national parks in the U.S., as varied as the country that houses them. We've gathered everything you need to know to set off for a summer adventure, plus photo galleries, quizzes, maps, and more.
