The Amy Bess and Lawrence K. Miller Library
Named for the founding president of Hancock Shaker Village, Amy Bess Miller, and her husband, Lawrence K. Miller, the Library is a research facility and reading room housing 13,000 primary and secondary manuscripts, ephemera, photographs, graphics, and maps. Closed climate-controlled stacks ensure the safety and preservation of this special collection.
The library is available to researchers by appointment only, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 1-5pm. Contact Emily Sylvia, Librarian & Archivist, at esylvia@hancockshakervillage.org to make an appointment.
The Library guides (below), compiled and annotated by Dr. Magda Gabor-Hotchkiss, cover all primary and some secondary sources in the collection. Researchers wishing to use source materials can prepare a list of items ahead of their visit and email it to the Curator. While access to the Library is free, we request that researchers make a donation for staff time and supplies provided during their visit. Thank you!
Guide I Bound Manuscripts
Guide II Unbound Manuscripts
Guide III Printed Material
Guide IV Ephemera
Guide V Shaker Owned Books