Buildings and lands around the Church Family
The Church Family was established in Albany County by the first Shakers in America. The area was known as Watervliet and the community came to be known as Watervliet Shakers, which included the North, South and West Families. The total of owned and leased lands in Watervliet would reach about 4,000 acres and was home for approximately 350 Shakers.
The suggested walking tour path visits the eight existing Shaker structures, location of eight demolished buildings with significant interest to the site, and highlights five landscape features in the Church Family.