The Shakers, that ascetic quasi-monastic Christian sect that flourished (if I can use that word) from the late 18th to late 19th century in New England, built a tidy village near Canterbury, New Hampshire beginning in 1792.

Besides producing the much-admired Shaker furniture and craft items, the Canterbury Shaker community specialized in producing herbs and herbal medicines, which were sold throughout the country.

You can still visit the herb garden, as well as the original meetinghouse (1792), an apiary (bee house), the ministry, a Sisters' shop, a laundry, horse barn, infirmary, and the schoolhouse (1826).

On the guided tour you can see dovetailed and oval box making in the carpenter's shop, and look over reproductions of Shaker designs in furniture and crafts in the carriagehouse gift shop.

The Greenwood's Restaurant at Canterbury Shaker Village (tel. 603-783-4238) serves Shaker-inspired luncheons at family-style seatings (11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 daily) at moderate prices in the restored Blacksmith's Shop. Beer and wine are served.

Canterbury Shaker Village is open for guided tours from May through October, Monday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 12 noon to 5 pm (the last tour departs at 4 pm). In April, November and December, the village is open on weekends.

You can also visit Shaker villages at Hancock MA and Sabbathday Lake ME.

Canterbury Shaker Village
288 Shaker Road
Canterbury NH 03224 (map)

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