They called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, but because of their ecstatic dancing, the world called them “Shakers.” Though they were celibate, they are the most enduring religious experiment in American history. They believed in pacifism, natural health and hygiene, and for more than 200 years insisted that their followers should strive for simplicity and perfection in everything they did. The Shakers put their “hands to work and their hearts to God,” creating an exquisite legacy of fine furniture, glorious architecture and beautiful music that will remain and inspire long after the last Shaker is gone. The Shakers is a portrait of this particularly American movement.

A Film By
KEN BURNS
AMY STECHLER BURNS

Written By
AMY STECHLER BURNS
WENDY TILGHMAN
TOM LEWIS

Produced By
KEN BURNS
AMY STECHLER BURNS

Edited By
AMY STECHLER BURNS

Cinematography
KEN BURNS
TERRY HOPKINS

Narrated By
DAVID McCULLOUGH

KEN BURNS AMERICAN STORIES SERIES UNDERWRITERS
General Motors Corporation, Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS

THE SHAKERS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION UNDERWRITERS
Independent Documentary Fund, supported by Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts and Ford Foundation; New York Council for the Humanities; New Hampshire Council for the Humanities; Kentucky Humanities Council; and Massachusetts Foundation for Humanities and Public Policy.

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Original Broadcast August 1985

Film Honors:
• CINE Golden Eagle, 1984
• American Film Festival, Blue Ribbon
• One of the Year's Best, John Corry, The New York Times, 1985