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Walking Tours, Lectures, Fundraisers, and Other Activities
Lectures usually take place at the Manchester History Center at 175 Pine Street. Parking is available along Pleasant Street, and parking for people with disabilities is available in the small lot next to the History Center. The building is accessible. Light refreshments are often served.
Lectures and walking tours usually cost $1.00 for Manchester Historical Society members; $3.00 for non-members; free for children under 16.
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Saturday, June 27, free Cheney Railroad history walk, 1 p.m.: Hikers will have an easy, but bumpy, walk along the former railroad, built in 1869 to connect the Cheney silk mills to the main rail line in the North End. At 2.5 miles, it was the longest private railroad in the United States. Children are especially welcome, and will receive a vintage Pennsylvania Railroad patch. We will hike along the one-mile portion owned by the Manchester Land Conservation Trust, and possibly farther south to Center Springs Park, which will take about 1-3/4 hours round trip. Phone hike leader Susan Barlow (860-643-9776) if questions. There are no restrooms along the route. Meet at the North End of Main Street in Manchester, behind Farr’s Sporting Goods, 2 Main Street. Important to park at the nearby shopping plaza or Eighth Utilities office building. No dogs, please.
Through the end of June, History of Guns and Industry on Channel 15 Public Access TV: June's 71-minute television show presents Richard Meyer’s lecture about the Industrial Revolution, filmed at the Manchester History Center in March 2009. The program describes the importance of the Connecticut River Valley in the Industrial Revolution, as well as the importance of guns with interchangeable parts, the need for which energized industry and inventiveness around the time of the Civil War. Author and historian Richard Meyer brought some of his own gun collection to the lecture to illustrate his talk. Our TV show airs at 8 p.m. on Cox cable channel 15 on Saturdays, and the show runs on all the Saturdays of the month. The show changes each month. This Channel 15 broadcasts in Manchester, Glastonbury, South Windsor, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill and Newington. Some previous local-history shows can be borrowed at Mary Cheney Library, or purchased at the Historical Society gift shop.
Comments from the public are welcome. The television show is produced by SUsan Barlow and Kathryn Wilson of the Historical Society.
Saturday, July 11, Oak Grove history walk, 1 p.m.: Moderately hilly, bumpy, and sometimes wet, walk at Oak Grove Nature Center, 269 Oak Grove Street. The Town of Manchester owns this 53-acre area with pond and covered bridge. It was the site of a paper mill in the nineteenth century. The walk will take about 1-1/2 hours round trip. Meet at the parking lot of the Nature Center. $1.00 for Manchester Historical Society members; $3.00 for non-members; free for children under 16. Extreme weather cancels.
Saturday, July 18, FREE Cheney District history walk, 1 p.m.: Annual stroll to visit the center of the Cheney Brothers Landmark Historic District. This popular walking tour visits Cheney Hall, the silk mills, the South Manchester Railroad, the Loom exhibit at the former Cheney machine shop, neighborhoods of worker housing, and the Old Manchester Museum, where light refreshments will be served. The walk takes up to two hours with a distance of a mile or so. Meet at 146 Hartford Road, the former Cheney Office Building, and now occupied by Fuss & O'Neill. No rain date, so we will bring umbrellas if weather is iffy. Extreme weather cancels. Co-sponsored by the Manchester Historical Society, MCC's Institute of Local History, and the Cheney Brothers Landmark Historic District Commission.
Saturday, July 25, free Salter's Pond walk with some historic commentary, 1 p.m.: the Manchester Land Conservation Trust invites Historical Society members and friends to a moderately paced walk at Salter's Pond. Many "North Enders" learned to swim at this pond. Meet at the parking lot of the town swimming pool on Lydall Street, east of the intersection with Coleman Road. The walk may be wet depending on the weather, and hikers should wear sturdy waterproof footwear; the route is not mountainous, but does have stairs and bumpy spots, where roots stick out, so participants need to be agile. The walk will take about 1-1/4 hours round trip. Extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please.
Sunday, August 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Cruisin' on Main," in Downtown Manchester: Large cruise and show of antique and classic cars, trucks, sports cars and street rods. 100 years of automotive history, engineering, and artistry displayed along the one-mile stretch of Main Street between Center Street and Hartford Road. Carnival atmosphere with food and music. Free spectator admission. Rain date is the following Sunday, August 9. The Manchester Historical Society salutes the preservation and lore of antique cars. More at Downtown Manchester Special Services District Activities -- Cruisin' on Main.
Saturday, September 12, 1 p.m. North End walking tour: The old North End still evokes fond memories, although its Depot and Downtown disappeared in the 1960s. Come for a 1-1/2-hour walk to see old and new, including the Union Village Historic District, Apel's Opera House, and the old Bon Ami building, now the "Time Machine" store. Led by Susan Barlow. Meet at Whiton Library, 100 North Main Street. $1.00 for Manchester Historical Society members; $3.00 for non-members; free for children under 16. Extreme weather cancels.
Sunday, October 25, annual meeting, 1 p.m.: at the Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street. Annual meeting includes overview of the past year and election of officers, followed by the Fireside Patriots, a group of Civil-War era historical interpreters, who will present a short program of living history. Free admission.
Sunday, November 1, FREE "Memories of the Manchester Road Race" program, 1 p.m.: at the Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street. Members of the Manchester Road Race Committee will talk about their Road Race memories – the growth of the race, famous runners of the past, and contributions the committee has made to local charities. Participants will be archivist Rick Dyer, Dave Prindiville, Jim Balcome, Tris Carta, and John Long. Light refreshments will be served.
Friday, December 4, Holiday Gift Gala, 6:30 to 9 p.m.: at the Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street. Our sixth annual holiday gift festival, featuring live and teacup auctions, wine, hors d’oeuvres, coffee, and dessert. Decorated wreaths, gift baskets, and other boutique items will be for sale. Live-auction items include some of the decorated wreaths, gift certificates, and artwork. Parking available along Pleasant Street. Handicapped parking is available in the small lot north of the building. Tickets to this event must be pre-purchased, $8 for members, $10 non-members. All donations help raise funds for our community-oriented organization.
The museum store at the Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, is open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 to 2 except holidays, but please hone ahead, 860-647-9983. The administrative offices at the History Center are open by appointment, phone 860-647-9983.
The Old Manchester Museum (including its gift shop) at 126 Cedar Street is open 10 to 4 on Saturdays, and 1 to 4 on Sundays, except holidays. If you have questions about using the research library, please phone the curator at 860-647-9742.
Click here for the Town's events calendar.
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