Do we have a mission statement?
Yes indeed!

• To preserve Canterbury’s heritage and sense of community.
• To raise awareness of cellar holes as a historic resource.
• To provide an easily accessible archive for the use of both
• interested citizens and professional historians.
• To generate further interest in projects related to the mission of
• the Society.
• To advance the notion of “study, not plunder”, any ancient stone
• relics or sites to preserve them for future research.

What about other ancient stone relics besides cellar holes?

We are fully engaged in also documenting whatever evidence of stones that have been arraigned by our ancestors that might be the foundations of factories and shops making objects of wood, reeds, iron, leather, and stone. Also foundations of mills producing lumber, cider, or grinding grain and corn. The stone remains of barns, sheds, and outhouses. Foundations of brickyards, stores, taverns, churches, fire stations, meeting houses, and of course schools. Not to mention culverts and bridges. And mysterious constructions.

Do you have questions about possible, or actual, stone ruins on your property?

If you do believe any stone ruins that may exist in your field, woods, or yard might be interesting, tell us about them, invite us to take a look for ourselves, and ask us what we can tell by taking a quick look. And then decide if you want us to tell you about our process of documentation. If you allow us to move forward with the work, the information that we collect will bring us closer to our mission goals.

We are volunteers willing to explore, discover, and document cellar holes and other stone ruins that may exist in your field, woods, or yard. Tell us about possible relics of the past you believe lie on your land. We encourage both your intention to learn for ourself, and to allow us to collect the information that brings us closer to our mission goals.

Do you have information of the ownership history of your property that you are willing to share with us?

We can augment what we find on the ground with the facts you have documented to enrich the value of the resources of our Historical Society archives.

What happens to any old glass or ceramic or metal items we find as we investigate and document stone ruins?

As you probably already know, those artifacts can be invaluable in learning what activities took place at the site. To understand the use the structures that stood upon the stones were put to. And to learn the probable cause of the disappearance of that
structure. The landowner has first choice in retaining possession of the items, and those that are passed over to us may become treasured evidence to be preserved and displayed in the archives of the Society.

What is the product of your documentation?

In addition to the items that may be secured in the archives, we produce a written narrative, call it a story, that includes a report about the physical site including photos and detailed descriptions, possibly information about connections of the people associated with the site such as in cemeteries, and their occupations, and even data we collected about the road that is associated with the site. All this and more is displayed on an interactive map on our website that when fully functioning will include all of the above, plus images of the archived material. And maybe a titbit or two about the history of the site as gleaned from books, maps and other documents.

How will you share your findings with others?

With your written authorization, everything in the report, including any artifacts, will be entered into our database that will be accessible to anyone viewing our website. Should you choose to only allow certified researchers and historians access to the archives, we will safeguard your information. Of course you may designate any others, such as family members, access as well.

Is there a possibility of me participating in this project?

More than a possibility!

If you like exploring and being close to the earth we have an assignment for you. If you like mulling over old maps and documents to discover old features yet to be examined, that can help us. And if you think you might like organizing and guiding complex processes to get the project from a mark on a map to a clearly displayed structure in or on the ground, we can give you
as much responsibility as you want.

There is also a role for those with skills related to the handling of the physical and historical data we gather. To turn it into a resource available to residents and professional alike. Or how about using your art talent to create illustrations of the sites we document? Yes, and writers too, who will take history, old documents, and stones and turn them into stories that bring ancient places alive.

Work with a friend or bring a team to focus on an area of interest together. Be the first of three generations to hold a jack knife, spoon, or sleigh bell long ago lost. Learn which neighbors
traveled together by horseback to Exeter to record property deeds and other documents.

How much time would I spend doing volunteer work for the
Committee?

We are indeed volunteers! You can choose when and for how long your assignment will last. Be it an hour, a morning, some time working from home, a month, a season, or more. And if you try out an activity and it turns out to not be suitable for you, we are open to you experimenting with working on another assignment. Or thanking you if you choose to move on.

Does this project have any connection to the 300th anniversary celebration of Canterbury town?

Yes! We are planning activities and events to enliven the experience of visitors and residents alike as they get to explore the nooks and crannies of the early history of Canterbury. We are working behind the scenes with the Tricentennial Committee to coordinate with, enhance, and instigate the many events they are planning for the year-long celebration beginning at midnight 31 December 2026.

How can I find out more about the activities I might participate in
after joining the crew?

We have provided a more detailed account of the volunteer options, of the actual processes we engage in as we uncover the facts of a site.