Shelburne Museum Senior Curator Jean Burks has been recognized for her book Shaker Design: Out of this World. Historic New England awarded the book its Honor Book prize. The annual award recognizes books or catalogues that advance the understanding of the architecture, landscape and material culture of New England and the United States from the 17th century to the present.
Shaker Design: Out of this World was published to coincide with an exhibit of the same name at the museum in 2007 and compiles the writing of seven experts, including Burks, who explore how the Shakers’ beliefs in the principles of utility, honesty and order influenced their distinctive design and how Shaker design influenced 20th century design, most notably modern Danish and Japanese furniture.
Historic New England is the oldest, largest and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the nation, bringing history to life while preserving the past for everyone interested in exploring the authentic New England experience from the 17th century to today. Historic New England owns and operates 36 historic homes and landscapes spanning five states. The organization shares the regions’ history though vast collections, publications, public programs, museum properties, archives and family stories that document more than 400 years of life in New England. For more information visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org
Located in Vermont's scenic Lake Champlain Valley, Shelburne Museum is one of the nation's finest, most diverse and unconventional museums of art, design and Americana. Over 150,000 works are exhibited in a remarkable setting of 39 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the museum grounds. For more information visit www.shelburnemuseum.org or call 802-985-3346.