Shaker architecture
The Shakers (or United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing) were founded by the English-born Ann Lee (1736-84), who emigrated to America (1774) and gathered around her sufficient followers to establish a religious sect. Believing that odd or fanciful styles of architecture, with moldings, cornices, etc., should be eschewed, the Shakers created plain meeting-houses in which they could perform their ’round dances’ that were part of their ritual, so large areas of floor-space were essential. Believing also that light and cleanliness were the antithesis of evil, buildings had numerous windows… (Curl & Wilson, 2016)