Happy Birthday, Mike and Willow!
In spite of a very rainy day, we had a wonderful visit to the Canterbury Shaker Village. Tamra had recommended it to us and it was incredible. We felt especially lucky because our tour guide, Darryl, was raised from the age of 2 in this Shaker settlement. He was not a Shaker, but his father worked for them. As of now, there are only 3 Shakers left in the world. Darryl showed us everything, from the subtle dots on the floor of the meeting house (which helped them position themselves for their religious dances), to the laundry facilities. We also spoke with a broom maker who showed us how a broom would be made in the 1850's. I think the most touching thing we saw was a video of an elderly woman who had been raised by the Canterbury Shakers in the late 1920s and 30s, after her mother died. She felt so safe and loved and she felt that she owed them everything. The Shakers were very innovative people and totally embraced the technology of the day. They were the first in this community to have running water, toilets, electricity and even cars. But, of course, what the Shakers are known for is their functional, yet absolutely beautiful, furniture and tools.
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