Shaker Village
In 18th-century England, a group of religious dissidents formed a religious society, which became known as the Shaking Quakers, or Shakers, for their use of dance during worship. Their particular doctrine emphasized community living and a strong entrepreneurial spirit and by the mid-1800s, 19 self-contained Shaker communities had been extablished in the United States. Canterbury Shaker Village was established in 1792 and became renowned for its industries of selling seeds and herbs, spinning wheels, shirtfronts, cloaks, and decorative woven poplar. At its peak, there were 300 people in the community. Due in part to religious principles such as celibacy, the number of Shakers decreased in time. The last two Shakers of Canterbury passed away in the early 1990s.
Today, Canterbury Shaker Village is one of the oldest and most carefully preserved Shaker villages. The collection includes the 1792 Meetinghouse, and the Dwelling House (1793). Both illustrate the strong communitarian feelings that made the Shaker Village one of the most successful societies. Their industries provided quality workmanship and goods, which increased demand for the Shaker "brand" in the outside world. By reinvesting their earnings back into the community chest, they were able to accumulate great wealth, which they in turn shared with the poor and for the public good. These traditional trades are demonstrated daily - craftsmen make oval boxes, brooms, and baskets. Weavers, spinners, dressmakers, and knitters show their skills.
The Shaker Village museum at Canterbury represents the two centuries of Shaker influence. The picturesque setting and wealth of attractions, including Shaker crafts and architectural elements make this unique location New Hampshire's number one cultural attraction. This National Landmark museum showcases 25 original buildings and 3 authentic reconstructed buildings on a 694-acre nature setting.
Guided or self-guided tours are offered depending on the exhibit. The museum is open daily from mid-May through October. In addition to the historic buildings and museum, there are dining and shopping options.
Strawbery Banke Museum
In 1630, European settlers established a plantation called Strawbery Banke, named for the abundance of wild berries discovered on the shores of the Piscataqua River. This settlement led to the establishment of New Hampshire's oldest neighborhood, known as Puddle Dock, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly four centuries of rich history of this seacoast town that was to become Portsmouth, New Hampshire, an important waterfront port, can be discovered at the Strawbery Banke Museum.
Saved from urban redevelopment in the 1950s, this 10-acre site was turned into an outdoor history museum. Dozens of historic homes, businesses, and gardens are preserved and restored, displaying a remarkable collection of architectural treasures. The Strawbery Banke Museum is designed to pay tribute to the history and to the people of Portsmouth's, from the famous such as Daniel Webster, Washington and Lafayette, John Paul Jones, and Paul Revere to the normal, everyday people who lived and worked there. The buildings and structures that are displayed in Strawbery Banke are restored or refurbished to host exhibits, to illustrate the period of the home, or to house demonstrating artisans, tradesmen, and craftsmen. Educational programs are offered year round.
From the main entrance and visitor's center, the tour goes past many buildings, some highlights include the 300-year old Sherburne House and the Sherburne Garden The house was built in 1695 and was expanded in 1703. The garden is authentic to a circa 1720 vegetable and herb garden. The Site of Wharf marks the location where the wharves filled the Puddle Dock waterway, which is now filled in. The William Pitt Tavern, built in 1766, is a furnished tavern where riots and vandalism symbolized the torn loyalties of the revolution. The Thomas Bailey Aldrich Memorial and the Aldrich House are two structures that honor the Victorian novelist and Atlantic Monthly editor. Webster House, the home of Daniel Webster, is available for exterior viewing only.
Guided tours are offered between November and April, when the museum is open on the weekends. Self-guided tours are available May through October, when the museum is open daily. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day and on special program days.
White Mountains National Forest
It's almost ironic how colorful the White Mountains really are. Though covered in snow in the winter, the springtime brings the out the brightest colors of flowers and leaves, the rushing clear waterfalls, and the vast blue sky. In the fall, the White Mountains offer the toast of New England - the profusion of autumn hues of red, orange and yellow. An ideal place for fall foliage tours, the White Mountains National Forest is one of New Hampshire's top tourist destinations.
Stretching almost the full width of upstate New Hampshire, the White Mountains National Forest has all the usual treats of a mountain park - mountain biking, hiking, cross country skiing, fishing, and swimming. In addition, the White Mountains National Forest offers a host of seasonal attractions that appeal to every age. There is an amusement park, a waterpark, a scenic train ride, a cog railway, gondola sky rides, a trading post, caves, and much more.
There are four White Mountain National Forest Visitor Centers. The Campton (Campton, NH), Gateway (Lincoln, NH), and Lincoln Woods (Kancamangus, NH) visitor centers are open daily. The Evans Notch Information Center (Bethel, NH) is open Monday through Friday.
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