Burden Iron Works & Shaker Site

            Today was another day of history and exploration. We started our day off at the Burden Iron Works Museum in South Troy. Our Tour guide was very lively and passionate about our tour that made it easier to enjoy but it was almost information overload for me. One of the interesting pieces in the museum was the oldest rototiller in the country. The rototiller was originally owned by George Kadash and he was rewarded with a $2,500 check in exchange for his fascinating piece. More pieces that I found interesting in this museum was the plethora of bells that were displayed. Three of the bells that I saw in particular were from the years1877, 1889, and 1917. I thought it was really cool how great of shapes these bells were in after being close to or over a hundred years old. After leaving the museum we traveled to see the Postenkill Gorge.  The gorge was beautiful but look awfully dangerous and I do not believe there was a safe way down to the water. We then toured Prospect Park where we had a great view of the city of troy. After lunch we traveled to the Shaker Heritage Society and learned about the shakers, their religion, and their lifestyle. I learned that boys and girls were oftentimes separated and if married prior to becoming shakers it was forgotten about once they were initiated into the shaker community. I also learned that porches were a big deal and on almost all of the workshops of the shakers. They believed that the clean air treated those with tuberculosis and would cure the workers. My favorite part about the exhibit was the herb garden. Everything in the garden was planted and used by the shakers. Each herb was used to treat something different. For example in my pictures above I have a peony. Peony was used to treat epilepsy, whooping cough, and nightmares. I learned that the shakers preferred either a single red or white peony which was interesting because the one’s I saw with my own eyes were pink yet very pretty.