Shaker Cherry Cabinet with Drawers c. 1937

William Paul Childers created this watercolor and graphite rendering of a Shaker Cherry Cabinet with Drawers. Childers, born in 1855, lived through profound changes in American society, including the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Industrial Revolution. This piece invites us to reflect on the Shaker community's values during this transformative time. Their commitment to simplicity, utility, and communal living offered an alternative to the growing materialism of the broader culture. The Shakers, a religious sect formally known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, valued equality between men and women, which was expressed in their craftsmanship and their minimalist aesthetic. While this image captures the cabinet’s physical form, it also hints at the Shaker's spiritual and social ideals. The choice of natural materials and functional design reflects their pursuit of harmony with nature and their dedication to a life of purpose. The clean lines and lack of ornamentation embody their rejection of worldly excess. This cabinet stands as a testament to the Shaker's enduring legacy of craftsmanship and their vision for a more equitable and purposeful society.