Canterbury Shaker Village Reopens May 14

Canterbury Shaker Village Reopens May 14

Saturday, May 14 marks Opening Day for Canterbury Shaker Village, which features 25 original and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings set on nearly 700 acres of forests, open fields, and well-tended gardens.

“We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to our lovely campus,” said Executive Director Leslie Nolan, who cited guided tours as “the best way” to explore The Village. “This year, our tours start with a new 8-minute film that provides a broad overview of the Shakers, so it’s a wonderful way to get started.”

Canterbury Shaker SchoolhouseCurrently, there are four available tours, which will be offered Tuesday – Sunday in May and June at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Additional tours and times will be added throughout the season.

In A Cultural Landscape: Village Design, visitors will learn about the Shakers’ contributions to architectural design, landscaping, waterworks, and masonry. Shaker Stories: History & Legacy explores how the Shakers went from a misunderstood and persecuted people to one of the most successful religious communities in our nation’s history. Other tours include Innovations & Inventions: Shaker Ingenuity and Hale & Hearty: Shaker Health.

“The Shakers were incredibly innovative and entrepreneurial,” said Nolan. “Each of our tours provide an interesting, unique look into their way of life, which remained prominent for 200 years.”

About Canterbury Shaker Village
Featuring 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement, the Village is designated as a National Historic Landmark with 25 restored original Shaker buildings and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings. In addition to tours, exhibits, and programs, Canterbury Shaker Village provides wonderful, relaxing, and beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings and events.

Canterbury Shaker Village is a member of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions in New Hampshire. For more information about The Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.