Date of Award
2-2010
Document type
dissertation
Access Type
Open Access Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Program
History
First Advisor
David Glassberg
Second Advisor
Heather Cox Richardson
Third Advisor
Mario S. De Pillis
Subject Categories
History
Abstract
The dissertation analyzes the history of tourism at Shaker communities from their foundation to the present. Tourism is presented as an interaction between the host Shakers and the visitors. The culture, expectations, and activities of both parties affect their relationship to each other. Historically, tourists and other visitors have gradually dominated the relationship, shifting from hostility based on religion to acceptance based on a romantic view of the Shakers. This relationship has spilled over into related cultural phenomena, notably fiction and antique collecting. Overall, the analysis extends contemporary tourism theory and integrates Shaker history with the broader course of American history.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/1263343
Recommended Citation
Bixby, Brian L., "Seeking Shakers: Two Centuries of Visitors to Shaker Villages" (2010). Open Access Dissertations. 157.
https://doi.org/10.7275/1263343
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/open_access_dissertations/157