Shaker Drying Rack

Shaker Drying Rack

Pine & Leather

New Hampshire

Yet another brilliant Shaker solution. We first came across the drying rack at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire, one of the few Shaker colonies left that one can visit. The Shakers derived from the Quaker movement, Ann Lee, or Mother Ann, whom they believed to be the female manifestation of Christ, founded the movement in the United States, arriving in New York City in 1774. Over the next century they built up a following of some 200,000 converts, however, at this point there are only 4 Shakers left. Shakers are well known for their tremendous craftsmanship, ideas and ingenious objects, furniture, tools and architecture. Their incredible output is largely explained by their oath of celibacy. One of the most outstanding buildings I have ever visited is the round barn at Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts. The interior construction is an echo of Tatlin's Constructivist tower but it was constructed close to 100 years prior. The drying rack is a beautiful piece of art, almost too lovely to use, but you have to. We tend to air dry our clothes more and more to save on time at the Laundromat, help the environment, money and to spare our clothes the beating of the tumble drier. It is a shame all of our rooftop laundry lines have been forbidden in New York due to insurance issues. Yes, we have rigged an illegal laundry handing device on our rooftop but on a rainy day this drying rack is incredibly handy. The wood is unfinished so it will age down, the piece folds flat to become only 3" thick, I found the perfect storage spot to be in the gap between my refrigerator and wall, however hanging it on a peg or nail on the wall is an appropriate solution as well.