For this week’s Curator’s Corner, we spotlight a “hook rail” shelf located on the second floor of the sister’s dormitory. The celibate sister’s occupied small sleeping rooms that were each furnished with standard accommodations including a hook rail shelf like the one pictured here. Occupants removed these furnishings over the years, especially from rooms on the first floor. However, vestiges survived and include 11 hook rail shelves that remain in situ (in their original locations) on the second and third floors. Unfortunately, the wooden hooks had an inherent structural weakness: on average, each rail has only 2 intact hooks (out of 7). However, this shelf, located on the west wing of the second floor, is in excellent condition with 6 fully intact hooks. It is amazing that it survives, in its original location, essentially untouched since the 1740s! -Bradley Smith (fb)

📣 Come to the Ephrata Cloister Chorus Spring Concert! 📣 Join us TOMORROW on Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 PM for the Ephrata Cloister Chorus Spring Concert, performed in the historic 1741 Meetinghouse. Enjoy the historic music of Ephrata Cloister, early American communities, classical composers, and contemporary pieces. Concert admission is $5 per person. Tickets will be available starting at 1:30 PM at a table near the door to the Meetinghouse. Cash and credit cards accepted. Visitors wishing to explore the site before or after the concert can purchase regular admission tickets for $10 at the Visitor Center. Members of the Ephrata Cloister Associates enjoy free access to the concert and grounds. The concert runs about an hour. Arrive early for the best seating! In case of rain, the performance will move inside the Meetinghouse with limited seating. We hope to see you there! #ephratacloister #lancasterpa #lancastercounty #lancastercountypa (fb)