The Shakers of Ohio

Interior of Dormatories at White Water Shaeker Village, Harrison, Ohio.

Ohio had some of the most important Shaker communities in the 19th century. Although the living community is gone, they left behind evidence of their beliefs and practices in their simple but beautiful buildings and cemeteries.

Simplicity in Death

  • Warrensville West Cemetery, Clevland

    Warrensville West (1811-1955) was not the original resting place of the Cleveland Shakers. The members of the North Union community were originally buried near S. Park Boulevard. Most of them were moved in 1908 to make way for development of Shaker Heights but a few bodies remain at the original site. Because the original markers had only the initials of the deceased, more research is needed to name those who have been moved and those who were left behind. The Shaker Historical Society manages this site.

  • White Water Cemetery, Harrison

    The burying ground at White Water is still intact. It is an excellent example of Shaker death patterns. As in life the members were segregated by sex, interred with men on one side and women on the other. The headstones are more detailed (including names and dates) than some other Shaker cemeteries but remain simple. Only the stones of deacons and deaconesses betray any hint of rank. The Friends of White Water Shaker Village manage the site.

” . . . Society of Shakers at White Water Village, an Order of Celebate Christians To Honor the Memory of the Members Whose Mortal Remains are Interred in this Lot. 1827-1916.”

A common Victorian funerary symbol of a wreath.

Elder Rufus Bishop, “Departed August 2, 1852. Born 18 Jul 1774 Montague MA

Served in Ministry at New Lebanon NY 1821-1852

Died 2 Aug. 1852 White Water OH

While Visiting the Western Shaker Communities.”

White Water Cemetery

Eldress Hannah Bog’s stone with an extended biography obscured by mud.

Typical Shaker stone with only the intitials J.R.

Stone of Lucinda Parker, Sept. 4 1833 - Oct. 2, 1911 “By her son, nephew, and grandchildren.” Shakers reformed their families when they joined the community. Parker’s biological family may have been asserting their importance here.

“G D” with a star.

Warrensville West Cemetery Tour, 2023