Is this workshop suitable for children?

Yes, it is designed specifically for parents and children to learn and create together.

Do I need prior woodworking experience?

No prior experience is necessary; safety and technique are taught during the workshop.

Are tools provided or do we bring our own?

All necessary hand tools and materials are provided by Canterbury Shaker Village.

Can I bring extra guests or observers?

Due to limited space, only registered participants may attend the workshop.

What is the maximum group size for this activity?

Group sizes are typically kept small to ensure quality instruction; check with the company for current limits.

Is the crafted stool safe for children to use?

Yes, the stool is sturdy and made with safe, traditional joinery methods designed for family use.

Woodwright's Apprentice Workshop in Canterbury, NH

Experience a unique woodworking adventure designed especially for parents and children at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire. The Woodwright's Apprentice workshop offers hands-on learning where participants discover how to identify local tree species, understand the natural properties of lumber, and master the safe use of traditional hand tools. Under the guidance of expert instructor Dick Bennet, families work together to craft a one-of-a-kind stool using an age-old technique that requires no glue or metal fasteners. This keepsake becomes a symbol of creativity, patience, and collaboration. The workshop takes place in a historic village setting, enhancing the experience with a touch of history and community spirit. Perfect for beginners and curious learners of all ages, this activity fosters skills, confidence, and lasting memories. Whether you're a local or visiting from afar, the Woodwright's Apprentice offers a creative outdoor escape that connects you with nature, craftsmanship, and each other.

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.