Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, the tour is family-friendly with an easy pace, but younger children should be supervised.

Are pets allowed on the tour?

Pets are not permitted on the guided tours to preserve the historic site.

Can I book a private group tour?

Yes, private tours can be arranged in advance through Canterbury Shaker Village.

What weather should I prepare for?

Tours take place rain or shine, so check the forecast and dress accordingly for outdoor conditions.

Is parking available on-site?

Yes, free parking is available at Canterbury Shaker Village for visitors.

Are there restroom facilities during the tour?

Yes, restrooms are accessible at the village visitor center.

Explore Elders & Eldresses Tour at Canterbury Shaker Village | Guided Tour | History Tour

Join the Summer Special Tour Series at Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, New Hampshire, for a unique opportunity to learn from Director of Education Kyle Sandler about the remarkable leadership of Shaker Elders and Eldresses. This private outdoor experience invites you to walk through historic buildings where these influential figures lived, worked, and worshipped, all while gaining insight into the Shaker community’s distinctive governance and way of life. As you explore, you’ll uncover how gender-balanced leadership helped shape the village's harmony and success. The tour combines history with outdoor exploration, making it perfect for those who appreciate cultural heritage and nature alike. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply curious about Shaker culture, this experience offers engaging stories, personal connections to the past, and tranquil surroundings in the heart of New England’s countryside. Don’t miss the chance to experience a thoughtful and intimate look at how these spiritual leaders impacted their community, surrounded by the preserved structures and scenic landscape of Canterbury.

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.