History Center open houses, 4 times weekly:

Generally open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 10:00 to 2:00, and Saturday 12:00 noon to 4:00, except holidays. Located in the former Cheney Machine Shop, 175 Pine Street at the corner of Forest Street, the building was constructed beginning in 1895; it is on the National Register. Within 42,000 square feet, the Center houses permanent and temporary exhibits, self-guided and guided tours, a research library, and occasional lectures and presentations. The museum store sells local-history items such as books on local history, copies of vintage maps, Kage company plastic decorations, Manchester Herald cookbooks, t-shirts with historic scenes of Manchester, copies of high school yearbooks, vintage business directories, mugs, note-cards, and limited-edition ceramic tree ornaments with images of Cheney Homestead and other landmarks. Questions: 860-647-9983.  Closed on holidays and between 12/24 and 1/2. Free; donations welcome.