About Us

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 (as stated in 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 owns and 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. See the Events page for open houses and activities at our properties.

Our Team • Contact us at 860-647-9983
• info@Manchesterhistory.org

Officers (2024-2025)

President:  Dennis Gleeson

Vice President:  Stephen Penny

Treasurer:  Denise Pesce-Boratgis

Secretary:  Carol Cafazzo

Board of Directors (2024-2025)

Dr. Maria Cruz

Kevin Mason Drake

Dan Kimball

Jim Sarles

David K. Smith

 

 

Directors Emeriti

Susan Barlow

George Beauregard

Douglas Edwards

Theresa Parla

Joe Sobanski

Vivian Ferguson (1925-2017)

What We Do

Volunteers

Our volunteers are the core of the Society, and they do many tasks. For example, volunteers staff events such as our open houses, design and set up exhibits, give museum tours, accession donated items, and help visitors with genealogy and historic house research.

Tours and programs

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 conduct occasional walking tours throughout the town. We present lectures, open houses, and occasional teas and holiday galas. For details, see the events in our calendar.

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. You can access the application form online by clicking House Marker.

Advisory

The Historical Society acts as an advisor to the Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark 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, events, and items of interest from the past. To read our newsletter, click here Newsletters.

Our free e-newsletter arrives via email, with updates on events, history tidbits, resources for researchers and genealogists. To receive, click Subscribe to email newsletter.

Our on-line publications, reprinted from contemporary and historic sources, are available by clicking Research Archive, and they are a source of information about Manchester and Connecticut history.

Our Mission…

The Manchester Historical Society educates the public about the history of Manchester, Connecticut; collects, preserves, interprets, and exhibits information and artifacts about the town and its diverse population, and advocates for the preservation of significant historic resources.

Our Vision…

The Manchester Historical Society will be the premier resource for information about the history and heritage of Manchester, Connecticut that includes the Native American culture and the growth of the agricultural, industrial and suburban communities of the Northeast. It will attract visitors of all ages from around the country to its exhibitions and programs. Its efforts will reflect the diversity of the community and will remain connected to the community.