A bust that was hand-crafted by one of the nuns. It is for sale in the gift shop. The nuns rely solely on the generosity of the public for their survival. The gift shop is one source of revenue for them. The shop is often not staffed and works on the honor system. So, be sure to bring plenty of small bills or you can also write a personal check.
The monastery was founded in 1790 by four Carmelite nuns. It was the first monastery of religious women in Colonial America. The monastery is still the active home of the discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Carmel of Port Tobacco. The Carmelite life is a call to prayer, tempered with hard work and shared community.