Canterbury Shaker Village National Heritage Area Study Authorization Act

Public Lands and Natural Resources
senate
house
president

Introduced on April 15, 2024 by Margaret Wood Hassan

Cosponsors

Legislation Details

  • Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the suitability and feasibility of designating Canterbury Shaker Village as a National Heritage Area.
  • Recognizes Canterbury Shaker Village’s historical significance, established in 1792, as a key site for the United Society of Belivers or “Shakers.”
  • Highlights the Shakers’ role in the Second Great Awakening, their communal and celibate lifestyle, and their contributions to architecture, decorative arts, and utilitarian objects.
  • Notes Canterbury Shaker Village’s evolution into a significant Shaker community, eventually becoming the home of the Shaker Central Ministry.
  • Mentions the transformation of the community into a nonprofit museum, Canterbury Shaker Village, Inc., in 1969, preserving its legacy.
  • Acknowledges Canterbury Shaker Village’s designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1992.
  • Describes the village’s features, including approximately 700 acres of land, 25 buildings, archaeological resources, gardens, orchards, a cemetery, roadways, stone structures, and manmade ponds.
  • Details the extensive research, surveying, and documentation efforts that have highlighted Canterbury Shaker Village’s national significance and educational value.
  • Defines key terms for the study, including “Secretary” as the Secretary of the Interior, “State” as the State of New Hampshire, and “study area” as the geographic boundaries of Canterbury Shaker Village National Historic Landmark in Merrimack County, New Hampshire.
  • Specifies that the study will be conducted in consultation with various stakeholders, including state and local historic preservation officers, historical societies, and tourism offices, following the guidelines outlined in section 120103(a) of title 54, United States Code.

Last updated 8/8/2024