THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Explore the innovative business history of Canterbury Shaker Village on this exclusive summer tour. Gain insider access to places few get to see while learning how Shaker industry thrived through communal values and smart enterprise.
Explore the innovative business history of Canterbury Shaker Village on this exclusive summer tour. Gain insider access to places few get to see while learning how Shaker industry thrived through communal values and smart enterprise.
Book with Canterbury Shaker Village
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Canterbury Shaker Village · Canterbury, New Hampshire
Join the Summer Special Tour Series at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire for a fascinating journey into the economic history of this unique community. Guided by the knowledgeable Director of Education Kyle Sandler, this private tour offers an inside look at how Shaker business practices fostered innovation while balancing their communal values with practical commerce. Experience a rare opportunity to visit the Trustee’s Office, a space typically closed to the public, providing an exclusive glimpse into the operational heart of the village. As you explore, you'll uncover how Shakers managed industries such as agriculture, crafts, and manufacturing with efficiency and integrity. The blend of historic insight and the authentic setting makes this experience perfect for history buffs, business enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike. The village’s serene grounds also offer a peaceful backdrop, ideal for meaningful reflection on the community's legacy and lasting impact in American history.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; moderate walking around the village grounds on mostly flat terrain.
No, the Trustee’s Office is typically closed to the public and only accessible during this exclusive tour.
The tour generally lasts between 2 to 3 hours, including walking and indoor visits.
Yes, but the content is best suited for older children and adults interested in history and business.
While much of the village is accessible, some historic buildings may have limited access; please contact the village for specific accommodations.
Photography is allowed in most areas, except inside certain rooms to protect artifacts.
Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers appropriate for the season, as the tour involves outdoor walking.
Canterbury Shaker Village was founded in 1792 and became an influential community known for its craftsmanship, progressive social practices, and innovative business models.
The village actively preserves historic buildings and promotes environmentally conscious practices to maintain the integrity of its natural and cultural landscape.
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.
Book with Canterbury Shaker Village