Adventure Brief
Discover the peaceful art of nature journaling at Canterbury Shaker Village. Join Heidi Colburn’s workshop to creatively connect with New Hampshire’s outdoors.
2–3 hours
easy
Family Friendly
No Experience Required
Discover the peaceful art of nature journaling at Canterbury Shaker Village. Join Heidi Colburn’s workshop to creatively connect with New Hampshire’s outdoors.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Basic ability to walk short distances on uneven ground and remain outdoors seated or standing for extended periods.
Wildlife
History
Canterbury Shaker Village preserves the legacy of the Shaker community, known for their craftsmanship and harmony with nature.
Conservation
The site promotes sustainable practices to protect natural habitats and educate visitors on environmental stewardship.
Canterbury Shaker Village
Discover the peaceful art of nature journaling at Canterbury Shaker Village. Join Heidi Colburn’s workshop to creatively connect with New Hampshire’s outdoors.
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.
Location
Canterbury, NH
Historic village campus in New Hampshire
Historic Site
1792 Meeting House
Early American Shaker landmark
Tours & Events
11 offerings
Guided tours, workshops, concerts
Special Programs
Exhibitions & Events
Exhibition openings, readings, car show
Discover Shaker history through guided tours, workshops, concerts, and special exhibitions—check event listings and ticketing for upcoming dates.
Bring a sturdy journal and pencils
A quality journal and a selection of pencils will help you capture detailed sketches and notes effectively.
Wear layered clothing
New Hampshire weather can shift quickly; layers keep you comfortable throughout the day.
Stay hydrated
Carry enough water, especially in warmer months, to stay refreshed during outside sessions.
Be mindful of insects
Use insect repellent during spring and summer to minimize distractions while journaling outdoors.
Nature journal
A dedicated notebook to record observations and sketches during your journaling session.
Graphite pencils and eraser
Pencils provide versatility for different sketching techniques and shading.
Layered clothing
Adjustable layers help maintain comfort amid changing temperatures typical of spring.
spring
Insect repellent
Protects against mosquitoes and ticks for a more comfortable outdoor experience.
summer