Where exactly is the meeting point for the Mapping the Shakers talk?

The talk takes place at Canterbury Shaker Village, 288 Shaker Rd., Canterbury, NH 03224.

Is the Mapping the Shakers session suitable for children?

Yes, this one-hour talk is family-friendly and accessible to all ages interested in history.

Are refreshments included with the experience?

Yes, light refreshments are served during the event.

Do I need to book in advance?

Booking in advance is recommended to secure a spot, as group size may be limited.

Will there be a chance to explore the Village beyond the talk?

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early or stay after to explore the historic grounds and trails.

Is the Canterbury Shaker Village accessible for guests with mobility challenges?

Some areas of the Village are accessible, but it is best to contact the Village directly for specific accommodation inquiries.

Discovering Canterbury’s Shaker Legacy Through Deep Mapping | History Tour | Walking Tour

Canterbury, New Hampshire, sits quietly in the landscape of New England, a town with roots deeply intertwined with the Shaker community that flourished here for over two centuries. At the heart of this history stands Canterbury Shaker Village—a living museum and cultural site dedicated to preserving and exploring the stories of this unique religious group. One of the most intriguing experiences offered by the Village today is "Mapping the Shakers," a one-hour interactive talk that opens the door to a digital project uncovering the lives of the 2,300+ Shakers who lived, worked, and worshiped in this close-knit community.

While many visitors know about famous Shaker leaders and their innovations, this experience shines a light on the broader population, revealing how individual stories intertwine to create the fabric of Village life. Using historical vital records and architectural analysis, the project offers an in-depth portrait of a community adapting through time—remodeling buildings, reshaping social structures, and reflecting shifting priorities during its 200-year history.

Visitors join this collaborative exploration, learning how digital "deep mapping" technology is used to chart everything from birth and death records to changes in the Village’s built environment. The talk encourages questions and discussion, making it as much a community event as an educational one. A perfect way to engage with local history, the session is accompanied by light refreshments, fostering a welcoming atmosphere that invites reflection and connection.

Canterbury Shaker Village itself is a distinctive destination within New Hampshire’s outdoors and cultural scene. Founded in 1792, the Village preserves original Shaker buildings set amid 694 acres of serene woods, farmland, and trails along the Contoocook River. The Shakers’ commitment to craftsmanship and innovation—seen in their furniture, agriculture, and simple, efficient architecture—remains an emblem of the area’s heritage. This mapping project adds a fresh layer of understanding to the Village’s story, making it a standout experience for visitors interested in history, community, and the ways in which place shapes identity.

"Mapping the Shakers" invites travelers beyond surface-level narratives, engaging them with the lived reality of a remarkable, once-thriving religious community. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of Americana, or simply curious about how technology reveals the past, this experience offers unique insight and a meaningful connection to local heritage within the walking paths of Canterbury’s peaceful landscape.

About Canterbury Shaker Village

Canterbury Shaker Village is a historic Shaker community and living history museum located in Canterbury, New Hampshire. The Village offers guided tours, special exhibitions, community readings, concerts, hands-on workshops, and seasonal events that interpret Shaker life, craft, and communal practices.

Educational programs highlight primary sources and personal narratives, including special tours inspired by Nicolas Briggs’s memoir Forty Years a Shaker and guided walks led by the Village’s education staff such as Director of Education Kyle Sandler. Visitors can attend readings in the 1792 Meeting House, music on the green, antique and vintage car shows set among fall foliage, and exhibition openings that honor the Shakers’ legacy.

Workshops and demonstrations teach traditional Shaker skills; examples include a cherry oval box workshop led by instructor Dick Bennett and farm-to-table dinners paired with historic tours at community gatherings like Simply Shaker. Members and preview events bring curators and historians together to contextualize artifacts, as seen in the Keeping Faith exhibition talks with curators Renée Fox, Kyle Sandler, and Shirley Wajda.

Canterbury Shaker Village maintains credibility through documented artifacts, named curators and educators, and a range of public programs that connect visitors directly to Shaker material culture. The Village’s calendar of events and combination of tours, exhibitions, and hands-on learning provide reliable opportunities for visitors to explore early American religious life and Shaker craftsmanship. Public programs often include live music, community readings, vintage car exhibitions, curator talks, and light refreshments during exhibition openings to deepen visitor engagement with Shaker history and authentic material culture.

Discovering Canterbury’s Shaker Legacy Through Deep Mapping

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