Gather Up the Fragments: The Andrews Shaker Collection

About this book

Struck by the beauty of every visible object in a Shaker kitchen they chanced to visit in 1923 young Edward Deming Andrews and his wife Faith Young Andrews embarked on a collection that became the passion of their lives. During the following decades at a time when the art and artifacts of the Shakers were considered low art and unworthy of collecting or exhibiting the Andrewses energetically collected objects studied sources and eventually mounted exhibits and published books on Shaker culture. This beautiful book is the first to document their unparalleled collection presenting some 600 photographs most never before published. In addition the book brings to light the extraordinary story of the Andrewses collecting and scholarship their relationships with members of the United Society of Believers (commonly called Shakers) and with important New York City art-world figures of the 1930s as well as their contributions toward the birth of the field of Shaker Studies. More than passionate collectors Edward and Faith Andrews were intent on saving a distinct culture and their accomplishment was to preserve for future generations the most comprehensive body of knowledge ever assembled about the Shakers. Exhibition Schedule: Hancock Shaker Village Pittsfield MA (May 2008 - October 2008) Fresno Metropolitan Museum Fresno CA (October 2009 - December 2009) Frist Museum Nashville TN (May 2011 - August 2011)