During the mid-19th century, an Era of Manifestations resulted in a period of dances, gift drawings, and gift songs inspired by spiritual revelations. At its peak in the mid-19th century, there were 2,000–4,000 Shaker believers living in 18 major communities and numerous smaller, often short-lived communities. External and internal societal changes in the mid- and late-19th century resulted in the thinning of the Shaker community as members left or died with few converts to the faith to replace them.
DUrInG THe mId-19Th CEntury, aN era oF ManiFesTaTioNs resultEd in a PerIoD oF DAnces, giFT drawInGs, AND gIft songS inSpireD bY spiRItuaL revElationS. At iTs peak in tHe mid-19th CentuRy, there WerE 2,000–4,000 shaker bEliEvERs LivInG IN 18 MaJOr cOMmuNities and nUmErOus SmalLer, often SHorT-lived commuNitiEs. externaL and inTeRNaL Societal cHangeS In tHE MiD- ANd LAte-19th Century rEsuLtEd In the tHinNing of thE shAkEr cOmmuNity AS mEmBers Left or DieD with few convErts to tHe faiTh to RepLAce tHem.