In Celebration of Shaker Museum’s Summer Series
Dear Friends,
Summer is coming to a close. It’s been one focused on catching up with friends and colleagues who I didn’t see enough of over the last year due to Covid. This past weekend, in particular, was a special one. My wife Tracy and I were honored to welcome people back to our farm in Old Chatham, New York for a special event supporting a cultural institution that is blazing a trail forward and quite literally building their future.
Since my newsletter focuses on the craft of building it seems appropriate for the August issue to highlight this celebration for a community dedicated to smart, simple and elegant design: The Shakers. My wife Tracy and I hosted the closing garden party for Shaker Museum’s first-ever Summer Series. With more than 18,000 objects, Shaker Museum stewards the most comprehensive collection of Shaker material culture and archives. It is the leader nationwide among organizations devoted to Shaker history.
Much of the talk at the event was about the new roots the museum is putting down in the form of a physical building. As a builder, it has been incredibly gratifying for me to serve on the museum’s board as they plan for and build a new permanent facility designed by Selldorf Architects in Chatham, New York. What we are creating is quite special not only for Columbia County, but for anyone interested in American history and design culture. Just the other week the Financial Times wrote an impactful piece about the resonance of Shaker material on design today.
The event was attended by both old friends and new friends. All our guests were eager to learn more about the museum’s work and the foundation we are building for the future. Click here to see some of the lovely images from the event and here to learn more about Shaker Museum.
While the end of summer means less time for me in Old Chatham, it also means more time for me in New York City and back on the job sites. I am looking forward to all the activity and renewed energy that comes with fall in the city and I’ll be back next month with another issue of Specifications that focuses on the craft of building.
Until then, be well.
Joe Kusnick
Founder, AE GREYSON
