11/03/2026
We recently spent time working at Canterbury Shaker Village, on the East House. The East House was originally constructed in 1810, to serve as a place for business affairs of the Trustee’s. To accommodate expansion of their various businesses at the Village, the Shakers needed a larger building to manage their operations. In the early 1830’s, to make room for that building, the East House was moved across the road, to its current footprint, on the east side of the Village. In the mid-19th century it served the business needs of the community, with the basement was used to spin wool for their profitable textiles, while garden seeds were sorted, papered and packed in the loft. Later, the whole building was used as a dwelling for girls in the community, accommodating eight girls at a time, with large instruction room on the first floor.
This summer the East House underwent preservation efforts to ensure its longevity and to plan for expanded use by the public. In addition to sill replacement and a reshingled roof, we came on site to scrape, prime and apply 2 coats of finish paint to the building. This will allow for continued use of the building, including plans for upcoming exhibition inside detailing how the Shakers raised children at the Village. The mission of Shaker Village is to educate, share, and preserve the legacy of the values/history of the people and community that lived here.
📸 Photo and history credit to Canterbury Shaker Village
