CANTERBURY GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Inside the Shaker Leadership: A Summer Walk with Canterbury’s Elders and Eldresses
A focused, hour-long guided tour led by Canterbury Shaker Village’s Director of Education that traces Shaker leadership, the roles of Elders and Eldresses, and the historic spaces they inhabited.
Inside the Shaker Leadership: A Summer Walk with Canterbury’s Elders and Eldresses.
On a summer afternoon at Canterbury Shaker Village, Director of Education Kyle Sandler leads an intimate exploration of the people who governed Shaker life — the Elders and Eldresses — and the buildings that framed their daily worship, work, and communal leadership.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Leadership in a Communal Order
Examine how Shaker villages organized authority and how Elders and Eldresses balanced leadership with the community’s communal principles.
A Director-Led Conversation
The tour is led by Kyle Sandler, Director of Education, who guides participants through the social roles and legacies of Canterbury’s Shaker leaders.
Historic Domestic and Worship Spaces
Walk the floors and climb the stairs of the buildings where Elders and Eldresses lived, worked, and worshipped to get a material sense of Shaker daily life.
What the day feels like
What the Tour Feels Like
This concise, one‑hour tour moves from an orientation on Shaker governance into close discussions about the roles of Elders and Eldresses, then proceeds through the site’s historic buildings so participants can read leadership in architecture and domestic spaces.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The program is a one‑hour guided tour.
Tours begin at 288 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH 03224.
Wear safe, comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to climb and descend several flights of historic stairs.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour runs for one hour.
Where do we meet for the tour?
Meet at 288 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH 03224.
Who leads the Summer Special Tour?
The tour is led by Kyle Sandler, Director of Education at Canterbury Shaker Village.
What should I wear or bring?
Wear safe, comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to ascend and descend several flights of historic stairs.
Is this tour suitable for visitors with mobility limitations?
Visitors must be prepared for multiple flights of historic stairs, which may make the tour unsuitable for those with limited mobility.
What will we learn on the tour?
Participants will learn about Shaker village leadership structure, the roles of Elders and Eldresses, and will tour the buildings where they lived, worked, and worshipped.