Are the attics and basements safe to tour?

Yes, all tour areas are inspected and safe for visitors, with guidance provided throughout to ensure your security.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, children accompanied by adults are welcome, though some narrow or low-ceiling spaces may require supervision.

How should I dress for the tour?

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and dress in layers to accommodate varying temperatures indoors and outdoors.

Can I take photos during the tour?

Photography is permitted without flash; please be respectful of the exhibits and other guests.

Are there accessibility accommodations?

Due to the historic nature of the buildings, some areas may not be wheelchair accessible. Please contact Canterbury Shaker Village for specific accommodations.

How do I book this special tour?

You can reserve your spot through the Canterbury Shaker Village website or via the provided booking link.

Explore Canterbury Shaker Village's Secret Attics & Basements | History Tour | Walking Tour

Experience a rare glimpse behind the scenes at Canterbury Shaker Village, New Hampshire, with the Summer Special Tour Series - Attics and Basements. Guided by the knowledgeable Director of Education Kyle Sandler, this exclusive private tour unlocks areas normally off-limits to the public. Visitors will explore the historic attics and basements that played essential roles in the daily lives and operations of the Shaker community. These spaces reveal unique architectural details, stored artifacts, and remnants of the Village’s industrious past. The tour offers an intimate storytelling experience that highlights the ingenuity and functionality that characterized Shaker design. Perfect for history buffs and curious adventurers alike, this tour provides both educational value and a sense of discovery. Walking through these hidden chambers brings alive the past and deepens appreciation for the community’s cultural heritage. Located in Canterbury, NH, this adventure invites you to step beyond typical museum exhibits and connect directly with the Village’s lesser-known stories in a safe, engaging environment. Ideal for families, small groups, or solo travelers seeking something different this summer.

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.