Jacob Skeen chart
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Jacob Skeen chart
- Date
- 1887
- Creator
- Skeen, Jacob
- Extent
- 0.01 Cubic feet
- Subjects
- Bible--Study and teaching.
- Shakers--Kentucky--Pleasant Hill.
- Shakers.
- Preferred Citation
- 2013ms0769: [identification of item], Jacob Skeen chart, 1887, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Brothers Jacob and David Skeen owned The Skeen Chart Co. from around 1886 until 1887. In 1886, they proposed the printing and selling of biblical charts to the Shakers as a means to support their religious communities. The Shakers would underwrite, produce, and distribute lithographic bible charts to be used in the instruction of children. Ultimately the charts were printed commercially in Louisville, Ky. The only Shaker community directly involved in the project was Mount Lebanon in New York, where Shaker sisters backed the charts with cloth. The business shuttered in 1887, after printing only 204 charts. The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (or Shakers) is a religion founded upon the teachings of Ann Lee and an offshoot of English Protestantism originating during the First Great Awakening (1730s and 1740s). Called Shakers due to the rapturous character of their early worship, often speaking in tongues, they believe in celibacy, equality of the sexes, and communalism. They are most well known for their contributions to American culture through their style of craftsmanship and music. After immigrating to New York by 1774, they set up separate communities supported by producing and selling various goods and services, such as their hospitality (tourism), seeds, crops, food stuffs, furniture, baskets, clothing, and printed cards. Currently, Lake Sabbathday, Maine, is the only active and functioning Shaker village in the world.
- Scope and Content
- The Jacob Skeen chart (dated 1887; 0.1 cubic feet; 1 item) is a bible chart entitled "Genealogical, chronological and geographical chart : embracing biblical and profane history of ancient times from Adam to Christ". The chart, one of 204 printed by the Skeen Chart Co. of Louisville, Kentucky, represents one of the more unusual economic ideas used by the Shakers to support their communities. To be sold as a learning aid for the biblical instruction of children, the chart traces biblical genealogy from Adam to Jesus Christ and contains subcharts listing parables of Jesus and the books of the New Testament. Additionally the charts are inscribed with the names of four major Shaker communities: Mount Lebanon, Union Village, Pleasant Hill, and South Union. However, only Mount Lebanon was directly involved with the project.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.
Contents of the Collection
"Genealogical, chronological and geographical chart: embracing biblical and profane history of ancient times from Adam to Christ" chart, 1887
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Table of Contents
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
