Do I need previous woodworking experience?

No prior woodworking experience is necessary; the instructor will guide you step-by-step.

Are all materials and tools provided?

Yes, all necessary materials and tools are included in the workshop fee.

Can I customize my oval box?

While the design follows traditional Shaker methods, you may personalize your box slightly under instructor guidance.

Is this experience suitable for children?

This workshop is best suited for adults and older teens due to the use of sharp tools.

What should I wear to the workshop?

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dust on.

Is parking available at Canterbury Shaker Village?

Yes, free parking is available on site for all workshop participants.

Make a #3 Shaker Oval Box in Canterbury, NH | Workshop | Guided Tour

Discover a unique hands-on woodworking experience at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire. In this private workshop, guided by expert craftsman Dick Bennett, you'll learn the time-honored Shaker technique to carve, bend, and assemble your own cherry #3 Shaker oval box. These elegant, handcrafted boxes have been an iconic expression of Shaker craftsmanship for centuries, combining simplicity and precision. The workshop takes place in a historic woodworking shop surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Canterbury, offering an immersive way to connect with a rich cultural tradition. Whether you're an experienced woodworker or new to the craft, this experience gives you the chance to create a beautiful keepsake while learning about sustainable woodworking and Shaker design principles. Beyond carving and assembling, you'll gain insight into the Shakers' values of functionality and minimalism. This adventure is not just about crafting an object, but about touching history and taking home a piece of it.

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.