Honoring our past & embracing the future!

Canterbury turns three hundred on May 20, 2027 and the town is gearing up to celebrate!

As the Tricentennial approaches, the Canterbury Tricentennial Committee, a subcommittee of the Canterbury Historical Society, is taking the lead in organizing a fitting tribute to the town’s past and present.   Their mission:

Lead the town in a yearlong celebration that commemorates Canterbury’s three-hundred-year history (1727 – 2027), engages all Canterbury residents, and celebrates Canterbury’s heritage and enduring tradition of community spirit.

The committee is made up of an enthusiastic group of local residents, who have been actively meeting and curating ideas.  They aim to foster a balance of an appreciation of our town’s history, recognition of those who have gone before, and celebration of the residents of today.

The committee’s vision is ambitious – encompassing a wide array of activities for 2027, with fundraising already starting. While pairing down the list is ongoing, areas include:

• Community-wide events:  From parades, road races, and scavenger hunts to dinners, musical performances, and dances – all are on the table as ways to bring residents together in celebration.
• Engaging the Next Generation:  Canterbury area schools are a vital part of the initiative with the goal of instilling historical appreciation in younger residents. Students will be engaged to help with artwork, graphic designs, writing assignments, dramatic productions, and more.
• Commemorative Tributes:  A Tricentennial quilt, a town monument, honoring our veterans, a land acknowledgement, and the planting of 300+ trees are just some of the ideas for lasting tributes to commemorate the town’s long history.
• Presentations & Publications: Guest lecturers and the creation of displays drawn from combing the town archives will offer deeper insights into Canterbury’s rich three-hundred-year history. Plus, a book offering firsthand accounts of working with The Shakers is being discussed.
• Commemorative Souvenirs:  To support fundraising, plans for mementos such as challenge coins, medallions, license plates, pewter ornaments, calendars, puzzles, and clothing are being considered.
• Collaboration with our Neighbors:  Neighboring towns, such as Loudon, Northfield, Chichester, and Gilmanton, (a few of which were originally part of Canterbury), are game to take part in the festivities. Potential collaborations include parades, softball games, concerts, and more!
• Historical Reenactments:  The signing of the charter and resurrecting the spirits of some of our famous residents to tell their tales are just two ideas for immersive experiences that will undoubtedly bring key moments from Canterbury’s past to life!
• A Time Capsule: A time capsule will be buried, preserving a snapshot of Canterbury in 2027 for future generations to discover.

There is even talk about a visit from the Governor, parachuters in town center, and a drone display. Clearly there is no shortage of great ideas and enthusiasm!

Collaboration is key! Many residents and groups have already answered the call:

• Canterbury Elementary School – already held a Police Badge Contest this spring.  Cheers to Peter Krautman – the contest winner!
• Elkins Library – has committed to working on content and programs geared to the Tricentennial in 2027 (thanks Rachel!)
• A Tricentennial License Plate – a commemorative license plate is being made and will be available to pre-order soon!
• The Quilting Group – over twenty local members are actively designing a commemorative quilt for display in town (and that’s just the start of their ideas!)
• The Garden Club – pondering ideas for beautifying an area in the town center to add some color and plants to be enjoyed by residents and our local pollinators.
• The Ale Man – tentatively committed to developing a Tricentennial Ale just for us!
• Tricentennial Challenge Drafted – cheers to an avid local runner for outlining a fundraising idea aimed at “connecting to Canterbury” via a series of outdoor local experiences to take place in all four seasons of 2027.
• State Forrest Nursery – is in talks to support the planting of 300+ trees in honor of the Tricentennial, including cultivating ones with origins from here in Canterbury.
• Loudon – residents are ready to publicly declare why they left Canterbury back in the day – and are proud of it! Rumor has it there is a float and costumes ready to go from their bicentennial celebration a few years ago!
• “Local Spirit Whisperers” – are already conjuring up ideas for key historical figures to come back to life to tell our story in 2027! (thanks Deb & Diane!)
• The Canterbury Fund – is ready to entertain requests for seed money as plans firm up and needs are further defined.
• Canterbury Shaker Village – preliminary talks are underway to discuss how the town and the village can collaborate on celebrations and events.

Cheers to all those who are already engaged – what a great start!

While celebrations and events are important, leaving something lasting for Canterbury and its residents is also a goal. The committee is actively reaching out to local businesses and seeking benefactors to support some of the larger initiatives planned. In addition, the committee is applying for grant money to help fund a historic marker to commemorate our history. More to come as plans get further along!

With so much to do, the Tricentennial Committee is actively encouraging residents and groups to get involved – to share their ideas, volunteer their time, and contribute their expertise to make 2027 truly a memorable year. We know we can’t do it alone!

Whether you are a history buff, an expert organizer, or just someone who loves Canterbury and wants to help, we welcome you with open arms.

Some examples of specialized expertise needed

• Social Media Guru(s)
• Videographer / Visual Storyteller
• Drone Owner/Operator
• Musicians & Actors
• Plus – really anyone willing to do whatever needs doing!

So, if you are new to Canterbury – we would love to meet you and get a fresh perspective. If you are a longtime resident – come share your knowledge and keep us straight! If you are a member of a local group – we would love to hear how you might incorporate the Tricentennial in what your group already does! Help us make the Tricentennial celebration a memorable success!

Keep an eye out for more news and when you can start pre-ordering our Tricentennial merchandise!

You can also visit our homepage to stay up to date on activities or contact us directly for more info: canterbury300@gmail.com

Cheers! The Tricentennial Committee