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About the Manchester Historical Society
The Historical Society... Our beginnings
 In 1965, a small group of dedicated citizens incorporated the
Manchester Historical Society. Their original purpose was to
save the historic Timothy Cheney house on East Center
Street from destruction. They dedicated themselves to implementing
the resolutions of incorporation: to preserve
"irreplaceable historic Manchester landmarks and act as a
watchdog group" to save valued antiquities.
Now, over forty years later, we can point to the progress
that has been made. The Society manages The History Center, 175 Pine Street, site of our administrative offices,
special events, and Sunday lectures; the Cheney
Homestead at 106 Hartford Road, given to our society through a gracious
bequest of the Cheney family in 1969; the Keeney Schoolhouse next to the Homestead;
and the Old Manchester Museum at
126 Cedar Street, the former Cheney
School building, restored by volunteers and business donors. The museum opened in 1985 and has three floors
of collections, as well as the research facility.
What we do. . .
Volunteers. Our volunteers are the core of the Society, and many tasks are
available. For example, volunteers
accession newly donated items, staff events such as our Open Houses
and Book Sales, design and set up exhibits, give museum tours, and help visitors with genealogy investigations.
Tours. In addition to tours for school children,
we co-sponsor a walking tour of the Cheney Mills area, which is a part of the Cheney Brothers National Historic
Landmark District. We work with the town on "Heritage Day"
tours each June, and conduct walking tours throughout the town. Tours have included Highland Park, Buckland,
"Hollywood,"
Hudson Street, Boulder Road, Union Village (the North End),
Hackmatack Street, the Town Center, and Forest Street. History hikes have included Oak Grove
Nature Center, Union Pond, Hilliardville, Adams Mill, and Laurel Marsh.
Programs. The Historical Society holds
regular program meetings on a variety of topics. Some of our past
programs have dealt with The Manchester Road Race, Spencer Repeating Rifles, Shaker
Village, The South Manchester Railroad, grave stones,
colonial days, quilts, Pitkin glass, the Firemen's Museum, New England Stone Walls, Apel's Opera House,
and Growing Tobacco in Manchester.
House Markers. For houses more than 50
years old, homeowners can purchase a plaque. Upon the homeowner's submission of a fee and evidence of the age of the
house, the Society will provide a plaque showing the year the house was built.
The plaque is suitable for mounting
on the exterior of the house.
Advisory. The Historical Society acts as advisor to the
Cheney Historic District Commission and the town
in cases affecting the preservation or
demolition of older buildings.
Publications. Our newsletter The
Courier, published quarterly, includes Society news and unusual
or amusing items of interest from the past. The Historical Society
has also published four soft-bound books: "Old Manchester. .
. A Picture Book," debuted in 1994 with more than 400 photos
from Manchester's past which has sold over 3,000 copies. "Old
Manchester II. . . The Storytellers," published in 1995, is a
collection of anecdotes and stories about pranks and everyday life
in Manchester from over 80 writers. More than 1,000 present and former
residents are mentioned in this 272-page volume. In 1996 we were proud
to publish "Silk & Guns: The Life of a Connecticut Yankee:
Frank Cheney (1817-1904)", written by his great-granddaughter,
Alice Farley Williams. This 203-page book contains 25 illustrations,
275 names and places from Manchester's past, as well as insights
into the Cheney family, their affectionate regard for Manchester,
and their impact on Manchester's history. "Old Manchester
III...Manchester Green" was published in 1997 and contains over
175 pictures and maps covering the eastern part of Manchester, affectionately
referred to as "The Green."
We have also published these booklets: "East Cemetery Historical Walking
Tour," which describes interesting gravestones and stories in the
old part of East Cemetery; "From Warsaw to Manchester, Talking with Helen Kopman;" "Vet
Haven and Related Tales, Manchester Veterans Return from World War II;" "Customs and Incidents
of Early Days in Manchester."
Links
The Cheney Homestead
Keeney Schoolhouse
The Old Manchester Museum
Manchester Sports Hall of Fame
History of the Manchester Road Race
Pitkin Glass Works
Museum of Connecticut Glass
Lutz Children's Museum
Manchester High School Class of 1955
Cheney Hall
Connecticut
Firemen's Historical Society Museum
Manchester Message Board
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