The Shakers: New England’s Forgotten Society | Canterbury, NH

Over two and a half centuries ago, a religious order known as the "United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing" more commonly known by us as the Shakers, was born in England. Decades later this group developed communities spanning all throughout New England (and a few other places) right as the United States began its self-governance. Mainly known for their charismatic worship and celibacy, the Shakers attracted large groups of people to these alternative societies throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, but its membership declined dramatically as a result of not being able to maintain future generations of followers. As we live in our today's world full of complexity and modern knowledge, we may scoff or laugh at utopian-inspired lifestyles of groups like the Shakers but their beliefs of egalitarianism, pacifism, communal duty and minimalistic living could very well teach us ways in which we should be inhabiting our time on Earth. Here in central New Hampshire, there lies the traces of one of these Shaker communities at the Canterbury Shaker Village. This testament to the Shakers’ cultural significance upon America was one of their oldest and recognizable communities and now stands as a museum and National Historic Landmark. Not only do we dive into the simple beauty of this village hidden among these hills of the Granite State, but we also check out the actual standing town of Canterbury to give a well-deserved spotlight onto a quiet small town for a change.

Location Covered: Canterbury, NH ✅

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[jaredwhitcomb]

Great video, interesting to see someone’s perspective on the tow I live in

[danielgeng]

Well they were celibate so that’s what happened to them, there are still some left at sabbathday lake Maine I believe. Fascinating people !

[lilytheboycat]

This type of reporting, where little is researched.

THOSE ARE ORIGINALLY BUILDINGS. We Shakers are really done dirty by this entire video.

If you want to discover the truth of Shakerism let me know. I tried the life in Maine for 3 years.

Your ignorance of your subject is appalling.

Dr. Karen King
Hudson, Massachusetts

[danielgeng]

I stand corrected, I made the assumption that since Shakers were celibate they basically were dying off but they actually made the decision to not take any new members, sad since there are many people that may find their way of life fulfilling. Maybe someone needs to start a new sect of Shakers~

[donewithdemocrats]

Great video! learned alot.. Especially that these Shakers were the OG's of twerking!! Wow!