I caught the last day of the Shaker Furniture show at Sonoma Valley Art Museum.  Quite worthwhile.  The Shakers were a religious sect that thrived for a long period in the eastern U.S., from 1775 to the 1920's, mainly in the north.  They had flourishing colonies in New York and New England, and into Ohio.  They practiced celibacy, but had plenty of converts, plus took in the orphans and misfits and rejects of early industrial society.  Their very spare, undecorated furniture style is well known, and influenced many designers and furniture makers.  A pleasure to see this small exhibit, very nicely displayed.  Here is a link to a series of photos on Picasa:  Shaker Furniture