Is prior experience needed?

No, the workshop is designed for beginners and experienced printers alike.

How long does the workshop last?

Most sessions run between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the group size and project complexity.

Are the prints memorialized or kept?

Yes, participants get to take home their personalized prints as keepsakes.

Is the workshop suitable for children?

It is best suited for teenagers and adults, as the equipment can be delicate and requires focus.

Wear comfortable, clothes that can get ink or paper marks, and bring an apron if you like.

Can I customize my design?

Absolutely — custom artwork setups are an optional part of the workshop.

Land Adventures & Creative Workshops at Canterbury Shaker Village

Located in Canterbury, New Hampshire, Canterbury Shaker Village offers a rare glimpse into America's past with a focus on cultural preservation and artisan crafts. Among their diverse offerings, the Private Letterpress Printing Workshops stand out as a hands-on opportunity to dive into the historic art of letterpress. Led by designer Charles Tabor at Floodwaters Press, participants experience the intricate process of typesetting and operate vintage presses, creating custom prints, greeting cards, or stationery. The workshop's intimate setting fosters a creative environment perfect for both novices and experienced printers eager to learn traditional techniques.

What makes this experience exceptional is its unique blend of history and craftsmanship. Participants get to handle historic equipment, understand the mechanics behind the craft, and see their personal designs come to life through careful operation of the press. The setting within the expansive, beautifully preserved Canterbury Shaker Village adds a layer of authenticity and inspiration, making it more than just a craft class; it’s an immersive cultural journey.

Beyond the workshop, visitors can stroll through historic buildings, explore the lush grounds, and marvel at the Shakers' innovative architecture and sustainable farming practices. This location provides a perfect backdrop for those interested in the roots of American self-sufficiency, with the added bonus of engaging in a creative, tactile activity.

Whether you're a hobbyist, artist, or history buff, these letterpress workshops stand out as a distinct experience in outdoor and cultural travel. They connect participants to a bygone era while cultivating new skills—an adventure in craftsmanship that lasts well beyond the day.

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.