The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing—now known as the Shakers—once included 18 communities founded on utopian principles from northern Maine to Florida.  The Sabbathday Lake Shaker community was established in 1794 and is the actively-practicing community of believers.  The village was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and awarded National Historic Landmark status in 1974, and 1800 acres of agricultural and forest land were placed under conservation and preservation easements in 2006.

The Shakers continue to explore innovative ways of deepening engagement of the wider communities with their faith, values and legacy.  In 2020, Red Dot Studio prepared the first-ever long-range plan for the site.  Scattergood Design evaluated all 20 existing buildings and established a preservation philosophy and repair recommendations.