CHS cohosts birthday celebration at Canterbury Shaker Village
On Sunday July 9th, 2017 from 3-5PM the Canterbury Shaker Village will be celebrating their 225th anniversary! As part of their acknowledgement of the town and it’s citizens that have supported them all these years, they have asked the Canterbury Historical Society to co-host the event. All Village staff members and CHS board members will be present to meet and greet, and our new book will be for sale. All Canterbury residents can visit the Village for free this day, and continuing for the duration of 2017!
The birthday celebration will include their famous rosewater cake and sarsaparilla ice cream floats serenaded with music by local fiddler and contra dance caller, Dudley Laufman. Attendees will be given a gift of a bookmark produced on their antique letter-press.
Canterbury Shaker Village birthday bash
Sunday, July 9th 3-5PM
free admission for all Canterbury residents for the entire 2017 season! Check in at the visitors center.
Book signing LAUNCH event
Sunday June 25th from 1:00PM to 4:00PM @ the Canterbury Elementary School
The Historical Society is pleased to announce a “Launch Party” celebrating the publication of a new history of Canterbury which chronicles the events, people and ideas that shaped the town’s history in the 20th Century. Over 200 people were involved in the project over the span of four years. Author Kathryn Grover, a noted writer and historian, was engaged to write the history which is titled, “Staying Small in a Century of Growth”. The well known Peter Randall Publishers of Portsmouth was engaged to handle all the publishing details. Ms. Grover has produced a very readable, enjoyable and comprehensive history that stands apart from most others.
All are invited to attend the “Launch”, to hear Kathryn Grover’s story of how she wrote the history, answer questions about the book and of course, to sign copies. Books will be available that day for purchase. We look forward to seeing you there!
Read more about the book here…
“I’ve been working on the railroad”; talk and new exhibit!
Before the days of Interstate 93, tractor trailer trucks, and personal automobiles, the railroad was the lifeline that connected Canterbury to the world. Although long gone and mostly forgotten now, Canterbury once had a vibrant railroad system that included multiple trains running through town each day delivering passengers, mail, food, merchandise, and freight to the Canterbury railroad stations that no longer exist. These same trains also hauled out of town local produce including as milk, lumber, ice, and young recruits headed for service in WWII.
On Sunday April 30th at 1:00 at the Canterbury Parish House, local historian Mark Stevens is presenting a program entitled, “I’ve Been Working On The Railroad”. It will feature old photos, historic research, and the stories that he gathered from interviewing old timers that remembered riding the rails and waiting for the train at the depot. Mark has spent 5 years gathering all this information and has retraced the rail lines. The photos of his discoveries coupled with historic photos he uncovered are a valuable and interesting part of our state history.
Immediately following Mark’s talk will be the opening of CHS’s newest exhibit “A trip through time on the Canterbury Railroad” that showcases many of the artifacts Mark came across plus many more photos. The exhibit will be across the road at the Elkin’s Memorial Building.
Canterbury artisans to speak 10/2
You are invited! The David Lamb and Tom McLaughlin program.
The Canterbury Historical Society is pleased to be presenting a program by NH Furniture Masters and long term residents David Lamb and Tom McLaughlin on Sunday, Oct. 2nd at 2PM in the Town Hall. David and Tom will be showcasing several of their personal design developments accomplished over the past twenty years and they will be featuring a number of master works that they’ve created from the same, rare Cuban mahogany tree that they purchased together some time ago. If you enjoy seeing examples of extraordinary furniture and learning more about the levels of skill and commitment require to make it, you should mark your calendars.
Admission is free, but as always your support is essential and your donations will be greatly appreciated.
Canterbury, NH Historical Society 