Do I need prior museum experience to attend Collections Camp?

No prior experience is necessary; the camp welcomes beginners and provides foundational knowledge as well as practical skills.

Are meals included during the camp?

Morning coffee, snacks, and lunch are provided on the first and last day; other lunches are on your own.

Is the camp accessible for people with mobility issues?

Participants should be able to navigate uneven paths and stairs, which may present challenges for those with limited mobility.

Are scholarships available?

Yes, limited scholarships prioritize current university students involved in the Inventory Practicum portion.

Can I register for individual days or must I attend the entire nine days?

Single day registration is available at $20 per day; full program registration offers additional perks.

What is the benefit of the Inventory Practicum?

It provides hands-on experience in collection inventorying using the Village’s actual artifacts, reinforcing the camp’s lessons.

Mastering Museum Stewardship at Canterbury Shaker Village: The Collections Camp Experience

Located in the historic town of Canterbury, New Hampshire, Collections Camp offers a rare, hands-on dive into museum collection stewardship amid the evocative surroundings of Canterbury Shaker Village. This immersive, nine-day workshop is designed for anyone passionate about preserving cultural heritage, guiding participants through the essentials of managing and caring for museum collections with precision and respect.

Canterbury Shaker Village, a living history site commemorating the Shaker community founded in the late 18th century, provides an evocative setting. The Village’s restored buildings and rich archives give a unique context to this specialized camp, blending historical insight with practical education. Participants engage deeply with the Village’s own extensive collection, benefitting from expert-led lectures, workshops, and tours.

The camp’s curriculum covers a wide range of skills critical for museum professionals and enthusiasts alike. Starting with foundational concepts such as the history of museums and ethical stewardship, attendees quickly move into hands-on sessions on object handling, registration, measurement, and cataloging. Specialized workshops teach conservation techniques to protect items from deterioration caused by environmental threats like dust and pests.

One of the defining elements of Collections Camp is its afternoon Inventory Practicum, where registrants assist in cataloging and inventorying actual museum objects. This practical application provides invaluable real-world experience, reinforcing lessons learned in the morning lectures. Current university students are particularly encouraged to apply, as scholarships support their participation in this intensive inventory work.

This program not only develops technical skills but also highlights the importance of museum stewardship as a responsibility to future generations. Through tours of storage facilities, historic houses, and the Village infirmary, participants gain a sense of how exhibitions are curated and objects preserved for public display. Workshops on exhibition planning and label writing further round out this comprehensive experience.

Navigating Canterbury Shaker Village’s historic grounds, with their uneven paths and period structures, adds to the authenticity of the experience—and requires some physical mobility. The camp provides morning coffee, snacks, and lunch on select days, creating a comfortable learning environment that fosters connection among like-minded individuals.

For travelers seeking a specialized educational adventure in the heart of New England, Collections Camp stands apart. It is a rare opportunity to immerse in the preservation of cultural history surrounded by the serene landscapes and architectural heritage of the Shakers. Whether you are a museum professional, student, or heritage enthusiast, this distinct two-week program enriches your understanding and skills, while connecting you to a vital piece of American history in Canterbury, NH.

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.