The Canterbury Shaker Village National Heritage Area Study Authorization Act (S. 2801) is a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on September 15, 2025, by Senator Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH) and co-sponsored by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to evaluate whether Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire should be designated as a National Heritage Area. This study will assess the historical and cultural significance of the site, its potential for tourism, and the feasibility of providing federal support for its preservation and educational initiatives. The study will be conducted in consultation with state and local historic preservation officers, historical societies, tourism offices, and other relevant organizations and agencies. The bill does not itself designate the site as a National Heritage Area but initiates the process to explore this possibility.
While specific media coverage of S. 2801 is limited, the bill is likely to be viewed positively by preservationists, historians, and local communities. Designating Canterbury Shaker Village as a National Heritage Area could lead to increased federal support for preservation efforts, enhanced educational programs, and boosted tourism, benefiting the local economy. The bipartisan sponsorship by Senators Hassan and Tillis suggests broad political support, which may be favorably reported in the media.
There is limited media coverage specifically addressing opposition to S. 2801. However, potential concerns could include the financial implications of conducting the study and the possibility of increased federal involvement in local affairs. Some stakeholders might question the necessity of the designation or prefer alternative methods of preservation that do not involve federal oversight. These perspectives, if present, would likely be highlighted in media outlets skeptical of expanding federal designations.
The bill S. 2801, which pertains to the Canterbury Shaker Village National Heritage Area Study Authorization Act, does not show any direct industry overlaps with the sponsor's top donor industries. Senator Margaret Hassan's primary donor industries are Health Professionals, contributing $1.68 billion, and Retired individuals, contributing $525 million. These sectors do not have a direct connection to the heritage or cultural study areas that this bill addresses, indicating a low potential for conflicts of interest. Furthermore, the lobbying activity in the bill's policy area involves industries such as telecommunications and energy, which are unrelated to the health and retirement sectors. Therefore, the financial interests of the sponsor's donors are unlikely to influence this legislation.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE | BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE | $180,000 |
| IMPACT HEALTH SHARING | NICHE CONSULTING FIRM LLC | $75,000 |
| TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION | TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION | $70,000 |
| TERRANOVA INC | FRONTERA GROUP | $30,000 |
| POSEIDON AEROSPACE | FRONTERA GROUP | $30,000 |
| OBSIDIA SEMICONDUCTORS | FRONTERA GROUP | $20,000 |
| SAALEX CORPORATION | FRONTERA GROUP | $20,000 |
| HERTHA METALS | FRONTERA GROUP | $15,000 |
| MN8 ENERGY LLC | MN8 ENERGY LLC | $15,000 |
| RISK AND INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY | MCINTYRE & LEMON, PLLC | $10,000 |
| VERMONT CAPTIVE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION | MCINTYRE & LEMON, PLLC | $8,000 |
| AMERICAN TRAILER MANUFACTURERS COALITION | WILEY REIN LLP | undisclosed |
| UNCAC COALITION | UNCAC COALITION | undisclosed |
| CFA INSTITUTE | CFA INSTITUTE | undisclosed |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA STUDENT ASSOCIATION | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA STUDENT ASSOCIATION | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Margaret Hassan, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
