The Shakers, or United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, settled on the site in 1793[5] along Lake Mascoma on up to 1,200 acres (490 ha).

[6] Subsequent buildings were made of granite with advanced stone masonry techniques, which was revolutionary for that time period.

Men and women lived in the building, but entered doors specific for their gender to separate quarters.

[6] In 1870, the elaborate Victorian and Shaker architectural Ministry shop was built to house the community's religious leaders.

[7] To support itself, the community made brooms, buckets, spinning wheels, tubs, dry measures and shirts.

[16] In 2020, the Missionaries of La Salette announced that the organization would be shutting down operations at the Enfield site, including the Marian shrine located on the eastern slope of Mount Assurance.

Sale of the shrine and all accompanying real estate to the Enfield Shaker Museum was completed in July 2023.