Canterbury Shaker Village offers beauty, peace and gratitude        

Located on 288 Shaker Road in Canterbury, “The Village” is the best kept secret in New Hampshire. Conde Nast identified Canterbury Shaker Village (CSV) as one of the most beautiful spots in America and a visit to the pristine site confirms the claim. With its uncluttered vistas, organic gardens and beautifully arranged buildings, the historic museum is unmatched for bucolic charm. 

The Village is decidedly open and welcomes visitors to take advantage of the ample grounds for exploration, exercise and renewal. In accordance with state and federal guidelines, Executive Director Leslie Nolan has made the decision to keep the buildings closed for tours until at least July 31. However, celebrating the beauty of the grounds is long overdue. 

On Saturdays and Sundays in July (starting on July 5), free Outdoor Tours will be offered at 11 am and 2 pm. These tours will offer an experience of the network of country roads, stones walls, dams, culverts and trails which are part of The Village. This 700-acre settlement exemplifies the Shaker mission of transforming their land into an earthly paradise and of being entirely self-sustaining. Visitors are welcome to bring picnics, books to read or writing materials to enhance their visit.

The Village is taking advantage of a quieter season to begin restoration on several buildings on the site. Visitors are welcome to watch Property Manager Justin Perkins and his crew of apprentices work skillfully to repair roofs, paint buildings and otherwise care for the historic site. 

Of special interest this summer is the organic garden, now called the Community Resiliency Garden. All seasonal vegetables coming from The Village’s soil will go to healthcare providers and the community. 

Special outdoor events will be offered throughout the season. Beginning on July 5, and offered on Sundays throughout the month of July, CSV is launching Classical Sundays on the Green. Concord native and cellist, Jan Fuller, will bring a series of performances on Sunday afternoons in July from 3 to 4 pm. 

A Juilliard graduate, Fuller will select each performance of classical music with various composers being featured. Guest musicians, dancers and poets will add context and texture to the performances. Poles will be placed at six to 10 foot intervals in a field to ensure proper physical distancing for attendees who can brings seats and blankets and refreshments. Suggested donation for each concert is $10.00 per person. 

Please watch www.shakers.org for more detailed information on both Classical Sundays and other events. 

A fresh and updated CSV website will debut by mid-June. With a modern feel and streamlined design, CVS will be offering videos to highlight collections and untold stories about The Village. As founding patrons of Faces of Gratitude, visitors to the website can watch a moving video that highlights our Essential Workers and will lead to ways that The Village will be offering special privileges and an event to thank these national heroes. 

 For information, call 603-783-9511 or visit www.shakers.org.