Hands-On Holidays at Canterbury Shaker Village: Wreaths, Letterpress & Pie

Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, New Hampshire, stages a hands-on holiday workshop day that turns the historic farmstead into a lively center of seasonal craft and community. On Saturday, November 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., local artists and heritage keepers run overlapping workshops — wreath making with Nikia Young-Adams, ornament felting with Shrock Farms, and letterpress printing with FLDWTR Press in the Hubbard Gallery — plus a curator-led Pie Talk and pie pick-up. The setting is unmistakably New England: white clapboard Shaker buildings, orchard remnants, low stone walls, and gravel lanes give every table and tent an immediate sense of place. These architectural elements and connected outbuildings are the key features to note as you move between stations.

This event stands out because it stitches together how-to instruction, material history, and community foodways. Participants cut and bind natural materials for wreaths, felt wool ornaments in small groups, and set type or pull prints on a hand press; kids’ craft stations and hot drinks make the program family-friendly. At 12:15 p.m., Shirley Wajda, Curator of Research and Collections, gives a Pie Talk that pairs tasting with local culinary lore while attendees sample slices. The Village Shop will be open with a 20 percent sale, and members receive an additional discount when they present their membership card.

The landscape here is primarily cultural rather than geological, but seasonal flora like maples and birches frame panoramic views and attract small wildlife; expect to see white-tailed deer along field edges and woodpeckers in mature trees. For history buffs, the village preserves the material culture and built landscape of a Shaker community, offering rare continuity of craft traditions and communal architecture in rural New Hampshire.

Plan ahead: ornament felting has limited spots so reserve early; pie orders require advance purchase for pick-up. Dress in layers for late November weather, choose close-toed shoes for uneven paths, and carry a tote for prints and pies. The program lasts roughly three hours and suits most ages and mobility levels, though some workshop work involves standing and bending.

Why this matters: the day compresses living history, hands-on learning, and local flavor into a single morning. Whether you come to carve out a handmade gift, learn a craft technique, or taste regional pie while hearing its story, Canterbury Shaker Village delivers an intimate, practical, and memorable way to kick off the holidays.

On-site staff can answer questions about accessibility and program timing; parking is available on the grounds and volunteers often help carry purchases to vehicles. Bring cash or card for additional shop purchases, and consider arriving early to walk the grounds, photograph the historic barns, and pick a spot for the Pie Talk hosted near the gallery.