During my travels last Saturday I was driving up Route 93 and once again noticed the sign for Shaker Village in Canterbury, NH off Exit 18 and said, "I need to stop and visit that place someday".
Well, once our appointment was completed and we were headed south on Route 93 with the sun shining and the better part of the afternoon in front of us, I did it. I finally took that exit and followed the signs to Shaker Village in Canterbury, NH.
It is like another world up there on the top of a hill in Canterbury, NH. A group of old restored buildings greeted us atop this snow covered hill. It was like stepping back in time to what appeared to be a typical New England town.
This particular village sits on 694 acres and has been a National Historic Landmark since 1969. It's purpose is to preserve the heritage of the Canterbury Shakers founded in 1792 by Mother Ann Lee.
The original grounds consisted of over 3000 acres and had several similar villages scattered over them.
The non-profit museum is not completely open in the winter so we just walked on the snow covered roads, peeked into some windows, took pictures and decided this will need to be a stop along the way during our travels in warmer weather. For those of you who love snowshoeing you may want to check the schedule for guided walks and other winter activity on the property.
One part of the museum that is open is "The Shaker Table" Restaurant. The building was originally a blacksmith shop but was refurbished into a lovely quaint restaurant in the simple Shaker style with simply delicious fare inspired by the Shakers using many of the organic herbs grown in the Shaker's 3 acre "Church Garden".
The Shaker community in Canterbury, NH was quite successful and prosperous for two centuries ending at the death of Sister Ethel Hudson in 1992. Inspired by the words of Mother Ann Lee, "hands to work, hearts to God" the Shakers of Canterbury, NH were progressive in their farming techniques and business practices making them quite successful financially as attested to by their lucrative land holdings and villages.
There is a lot of history here at Shaker Village in Canterbury, NH so if you would like to experience it yourself, pack up the family and head out to Exit 18 off Route 93. I think you'll find it was well worth the trip. Enjoy.
Judy Tuscano, REALTOR
Prudential Verani Realty
603-498-2263 cell phone
603-693-0919 office direct
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