Director and Curator of Special Collections and Archives Christian Goodwillie recently presented an invited lecture in Maine during a celebratory conference marking the 250th anniversary of the 
Sabbathday Lake Shakers’ arrival in North America. His talk was titled “‘Our Absolute Dependence:’ Symbiosis of the Shaker East and West.”
The five-day conference concluded on Aug. 6, the day on which Shaker founder Mother Ann Lee arrived in New York City in 1774. “The Shakers are noted for their belief in biune male/female Godhead, recognition of the return of the Christ Spirit through Mother Ann Lee, celibacy, communal property, and highly influential design,” Goodwillie said.
He noted that the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, located in New Gloucester, Maine, is the only remaining active Shaker community.
