Our Beginnings

In 1965, a small group of concerned residents 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.

We continue to advocate for preservation, while also educating the public — adults and children — about Manchester’s history. The Society manages The History Center, 175 Pine Street, site of our research library, administrative offices, special events, Sunday lectures, and exhibits; the Cheney Homestead at 106 Hartford Road given to the Society by 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, owned by the Town of Manchester, and restored by volunteers and business donors. The museum opened in 1985 and has three floors of collections, as well as a research facility. The Society manages the Woodbridge Farmstead, 495 Middle Turnpike East, at Manchester Green, a gift of the Woodbridge family; and a Cheney storage vault near the former South Manchester Railroad.