New England is the oldest region of the United States, so if at any point you get bored of playing with megohmmeters at the trade show, why not take some time out to immerse yourself in the history of the area? There are plenty of museums and historic sites to visit, and they're not only fascinating in their own right but also a great educational experience for children and adults alike. One of our favorite places to go is the Canterbury Shaker Village. We'll tell you all about it here so you can make sure to include it in your itinerary for your next trip to Concord, New Hampshire.

The Shakers were a religious group that began in England in the 1700s. Members of the group, which was originally called the United Society of Believers, were offshoots from the Quakers and incorporated dance into their worship, which earned them the nickname Shaking Quakers, or Shakers. They emigrated in 1774 and established communities throughout all along the east coast. Though some people believed they were as nutty as basket strainers, their sect still exists to this day.

Canterbury is one of the settlements the Shakers established when they arrived. Founded in 1792 by Mother Ann Lee, the village at Canterbury is now more than 200 years old. Though it exists alongside a society where coax cable cutting and laptop computers are the norm, it still retains the lifestyle and practices it was known for all those years ago. Touring the buildings, exhibits, and gardens offers visitors a chance to step back in time to when the village was at the height of its prosperity in the 1850s.

During your visit you can take a guided tour of the village, which includes 24 intact buildings. You can learn all about the Shakers, their way of life, and their values as well as see the things they were able to make with their own hands before the advent of automated packaging equipment. There are workshops available for children and adults and during your tour you can watch costumed reenactors creating crafts that were popular among the Shakers of the time, such as brooms and decorated boxes.

The Physician's garden, with its medicinal herbs and delicate flowering plants, is intact and open to visitors, and there are extensive hiking trails through the original fields and forests of the settlement, which once made up over 3,000 acres. This can be a great relief from anxiety. Toronto professionals will also find it quaint to dine at the Creamery Restaurant, which serves period food. Before you go you can check out the gift shop for reproduction furniture, crafts, and souvenirs as well as educational books and materials on the Shakers.