Calling the shores of Mascoma Lake their “chosen vale,” three families of the religious sect known as the Shakers settled near the town of Enfield in the 19th century. They lived there for more than 130 years, pursuing a simple life of farming and manufacturing, with 200 buildings at their height. Now the site is the Enfield Shaker Museum Museum (447 Route 4A, Enfield, 603/632-4346, www.shakermuseum.org [1], 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; noon–5 p.m. Sun., $7.50 adults, $6.50 seniors, $5 students and youth 10–17, free children under 10), which interprets their beliefs and demonstrates traditional Shaker craftwork.
For 30 years, the AVA Alliance for the Arts (11 Bank St., Lebanon, 603/448-3117, www.avagallery.org [2], 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues.–Sat., free) has been showcasing the best visual artists of the region, as well as providing art classes to nurture the creativity of future artists.
Links:
[1] http://www.shakermuseum.org
[2] http://www.avagallery.org