Today, Canterbury is lovingly preserved and houses a fine collection of artifacts. Visitors will recognize scenes from Ken Burns' documentary film The Shakers , and although the Shaker Sisters in the film are now gone, the spirit of these lovely ladies remains. You can almost sense the gentle presence of Eldress Bertha Lindsay, the last in the line of the Ministry, the succession of handpicked and most trusted leaders that began with Mother Ann herself. Take time to linger outside the meetinghouse at the top of the hill. The view from here, overlooking miles of field and woodland, is the most peaceful place I know of on earth.
Admission tickets are usually good for two consecutive days, except during special events.
The Creamery Restaurant is open on weekends in April, November and December and daily from May through October. Dinner is available Saturday nights in April and on Friday and Saturday nights from May through December. In addition to its daily roster of Shaker craft demonstrations, Canterbury also features special workshops ranging from making Shaker brooms and baskets, and creating herbal first aid kits, to putting up dry-laid stone walls. Workshops are open to many skill levels, and preregistration is required. Fees usually include all materials.