Open House at the Old Manchester Museum
2024-08-03 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Old Manchester Museum, 126 Cedar St., Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
The Old Manchester Museum at 126 Cedar Street is usually open the first Saturday of the month, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. May through December except holidays; closed January through April. It is also open by appointment; the research facility is available all year round by appointment — phone 860-647-9742. Your hosts, Art Pongratz and Bob Kanehl, can help with research through the Town directories and some of our maps. Free admission; donations accepted.

District walk with Christopher Paulin
2024-10-05 13:00 - 15:00 | 146 Hartford Road, Manchester, 146 Hartford Rd, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Annual stroll through the silk mill district, with commentary on the Landmark status of the district, labor relations, worker housing, and historic buildings, such as Cheney Hall. Dr. Christopher Paulin teaches history at CT State Manchester, formerly MCC, and follows John Sutherland in leading this walk. Moderate pace, covering about 1.25 miles, in about 2 hours; rain or shine. Town Historian, Susan Barlow, will provide technical support and QR codes to link participants with our website and e-newsletter. Free.

Cheney Homestead Open House - note date
2024-10-26 09:30 - 16:00 | Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Due to the special town-wide house tour (fundraiser for the Sculpture Project), the Homestead will be open in October only on the 26th. It will be closed in November. Its usual schedule is 1:00 to 4:00 on the second Sunday of each month except holidays, and also by appointment and for special events. /$5 suggested donation.

Meet & Greet with Sonya Owen
2024-11-16 16:00 - 19:00 | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
Historical Society member and former employee, Sonya Owen, has written the book Thanks for the Love of “The Hood,” and will be at the History Center to talk about the book. There will also be artists and authors at the Meet & Greet. A book discussion and Q&A will take place from 5:30 to 6:30. The book is available for sale at the museum store at the History Center.

November TV show: Tea and Silk
2024-11-30 12:00 - 13:00 | CT
ALL Saturdays during November, “Tea and Silk,” a 53-minute television show recorded June 9, 2024 at the Manchester History Center. Penny West tells the history of her ancestors through photogaphs and stories about Katharine Cheney Farley and Gustavus Farley. The show airs at 12:00 noon and 8:00 p.m. on Cox cable channel 15 on Saturdays, and 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. The television show is produced by Susan Barlow, directed by Kathryn Wilson, researched by Jill Gelinas, all volunteers of the Manchester Historical Society. You can watch this month’s show right now by clicking into the Cox Cable website.

November TV show: Tea and Silk
2024-11-30 12:00 - 13:00 | CT
ALL Saturdays during November, “Tea and Silk,” a 53-minute television show recorded June 9, 2024 at the Manchester History Center. Penny West tells the history of her ancestors through photographs and stories — featuring Katharine Cheney Farley and Gustavus Farley. The show airs at 12:00 noon and 8:00 p.m. on Cox cable channel 15 on Saturdays, and 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. The television show is produced by Susan Barlow, directed by Kathryn Wilson, researched by Jill Gelinas, all volunteers of the Manchester Historical Society. You can watch this month’s show right now by clicking into the Cox Cable website.

Cheney Homestead Special Holiday Open House
2024-12-01 13:00 - 16:00 | Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Annual holiday open house with special decor by the Manchester Garden Club. View the 1785 Homestead at its holiday best! Art, furniture, tools, and kitchenware tell the story of this cozy house that was the residence of Cheney family members from 1785 to the 1960s. Its usual open house schedule is 1:00 to 4:00 on the second Sunday of each month except holidays, and also by appointment and for special events. /$5 suggested donation.

Cheney Homestead Open House
2024-12-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Come for a visit to the 1785 Homestead, rich with holiday decor, artistically arranged by the Manchester Garden Club. Art, furniture, tools, and kitchenware tell the story of this cozy house that was the residence of Cheney family members from 1785 to the 1960s. The family donated the house and grounds to the Manchester Historical Society in 1968, and it has been a house museum since then. Its usual open house schedule is 1:00 to 4:00 on the second Sunday of each month except holidays, and also by appointment and for special events. /$5 suggested donation.

New Year's Day walk on the Great Lawn
2025-01-01 13:00 - 14:30 | 146 Hartford Road, Manchester, 146 Hartford Rd, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
This free history walk features the “Great Lawn” and proceeds along streets and lawn to view historic mansions and the nine acres purchased by the Town in 2005 for open space and historic preservation. Cheney district commission members Tom Ferguson and Susan Barlow will comment on the historic landscape and buildings. There is some steep and uneven ground, so participants should wear sturdy shoes or boots. Extreme weather cancels, but the walk will be held in light rain or snow flurries, so please bring an umbrella.

Railroad history hike
2025-01-18 13:00 - 14:30 | 146 Hartford Road, Manchester, 146 Hartford Rd, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Weather permitting — the rail trail is not snow-shoveled — we’ll walk from south to north, tracing the route of 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 shortest private freight-and-passenger railroad in the United States. We will see the Town of Manchester improvements at the Park Street bridge and trestle over Center Street. Some of the hike will be along roads. About three miles round trip. Extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please. FREE. 1900 photo at right shows the depot of the South Manchester Railroad, located at that time just to the east of Cheney Hall. The depot was moved farther north in 1910, and is no longer in existence.
To enjoy the trail on your own, here’s a copy of this railroad map.

CANCELING FEB. 8 RAILROAD WALK
2025-02-08 01:00 - 13:30 | 220 North Main Street Manchester CT, 2 Main Street, Manchester
Due to ice on the trail, we are canceling today’s Cheney Rail Trail walk. The website is not allowing edits on the actual listing, so listing THIS as the non-event. Questions: info@manchesterlandtrust.org

North End history walk
2025-03-08 13:00 - 14:30 | Whiton Library, 100 North Main St., 100 North Main St., Manchester, CONNECTICUT, 06042
Enjoy the charm of the old North End, viewing what remains from the Urban Renewal of the 1960s. We’ll visit Whiton Library, the “Y,” Apel’s Opera House (pictured), Woodbridge and Hudson Streets. About one mile along streets and sidewalks. Rain or shine. Extreme weather cancels. We’ll meet at the front steps of the Whiton Library. Park either in the library lot or along Old North Main Street. Free.

Genealogy group
2025-03-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
A meeting for both amateur and more experienced genealogists. Free for Society members, $3 for non-members. Our genealogy library is open Wednesday through Friday, 10:00 to 2:00, and Saturday, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. — same hours as History Center, where it is located. Questions: 860-647-9983.

CANCELED -- Family history day
2025-04-05 10:00 - 14:00 | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
The Town Clerk has canceled this event.

Highland Park history hike -- 2 options
2025-04-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Case Parklet at Highland Park, 670 Spring St, manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Meet at the Land Trust boulder at the small parking lot on Spring Street near the bridge and waterfall, not far from the intersection of Spring Street and Glen Road, Manchester (GPS 670 Spring Street.). We’ll start with commentary on the Case Brothers National Historic District and then visit the paper mill and mansion areas. Those who want a short history walk may end their walk at the dam at Case Pond near Spring Street. For those who want a more strenuous event, we will continue uphill to the summit of Lookout Mountain. Steep, bumpy, and rocky terrain, but worth the effort, especially on a clear day, when the Heublein Tower is visible to the west. Free. Please wear sturdy sneakers or hiking boots, and bring water. No dogs, please. Extreme weather cancels. Please check the street signs carefully before parking to avoid parking tickets. Photo by John Knoll at the steps to the waterfall circa 1920. For vintage pictures and a story about the Highland Park section of Manchester, visit Case Brothers National Historic District. Co-sponsored by the Manchester Land Conservation Trust, which owns the 0.6-acre parklet below the waterfall.

Walking Tour and Community Conversation
2025-05-03 13:00 - 14:00 | 146 Hartford Road, Manchester, 146 Hartford Rd, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Preservation Connecticut and Jane’s Walk, Inc., encourage cities and towns to host neighborhood walking tours where residents can meet and talk to each other about their experiences living in Manchester, or in their hometown. The free, citizen-led tours are inspired by Jane Jacobs (1916-2006), writer, urbanist, and activist who championed a community-based approach to city-building.
The walks intend for people to tell stories about their communities, explore their cities, and connect with neighbors. Meet at the office steps, Fuss & O’Neill, 146 Hartford Road, Manchester. About one hour; moderately paced half mile. Rain or shine. Led by Susan Barlow, Town Historian, and Jessee Muñiz-Poland, elected member of the Town Board of Directors.

Woodbridge Farmstead open house
2025-05-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Woodbridge Farmstead, 495 Middle Tpke E, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Opening day at Woodbridge, featuring an egg hunt and planting flower pots for Mother’s Day. The 1830s-era farmhouse and grounds welcome visitors, young, old, and in between! Take a guided tour of the house and a self-guided tour through our 18th-century barn. Check out the displays inside our Visitor Center Barn showing some of the history of Manchester Green. The Farmstead committee organizes events on many of the open house days — farm animal visits, antique farm tool expert, duck races. The Farmstead is located near the intersection of East Middle Turnpike and Woodbridge Street. Visitors can park at the municipal lot behind the Senior Center or along the street between the Senior Center and the farmstead itself. From the street, walk to the back yard using the grass driveway between the house and Woodbridge Pizza. The Woodbridge farmstead is on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm was donated to the Manchester Historical Society by Raymond and Thelma Woodbridge in 1998. Open houses are usually held on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, through October (except May, when holidays fall on those dates and we’re open the first and third Sundays). Free, donations welcome.

Center Springs Park ramble
2025-06-07 13:00 - 14:15 | Center Springs Park, 39 Lodge Drive, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Moderately paced 1.25-mile urban walk around the pond. Somewhat hilly, paved terrain. Led by the Town Historian, the walk takes about 75 minutes and includes historic and botanical commentary. The Cheney family donated the 55 acres for a park to the Town of Manchester in the 1920s, when the pond was built. The Town has installed fountains and other welcoming features. No dogs, please. Rain or shine, but extreme weather cancels. This walk and 100+ others are promoted by Connecticut Trails Day, a program of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.

Salter's Pond loop walk
2025-06-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Salter’s Pond, 123 Lydall Street, Manchester
Moderately paced one-mile scenic walk on the loop trail, starting at the parking lot of Salter’s pool, Lydall Street, Manchester — plenty of parking. Salter’s Pond got its name from Lorenzo T. Salter who, in partnership with Mr. Strong, founded the Salter and Strong paper mill, which became Lydall paper mill. Many North End residents learned to swim at Salter’s Pond before the town swimming pool was built. Our walk will include some historic and botanical commentary. The path has stairs, hills, bumpy terrain, and some wet spots — please wear sturdy footwear/sneakers. The pond and adjacent land is owned by the Manchester Land Conservation Trust. No dogs, please. Rain or shine, but extreme weather cancels. This walk and 100+ others are promoted by Connecticut Trails Day, a program of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.

CT Open Museum Day
2025-06-14 11:00 - 15:00 | CT
Our properties will be open 11:00 to 3:00 on this special state-wide Open House Day. Visit the History Center at 175 Pine St., the Old Manchester Museum at 126 Cedar Street, the Cheney Homestead and Keeney Schoolhouse at 106 Hartford Road, and the Woodbridge Farmstead at 495 East Middle Turnpike, with decor by the Manchester Garden Club and music by Judy and Mark Handler starting at 1:00, classical and folk. ALSO, the Pitkin Glass Works at the corner of Pitkin and Putnam Streets, South Methodist Church at 1266 Main Street (celebrating its building’s 100th anniversary), and the CT Fire Museum at 230 Pine Street will also be open. Free.

Walking tour on the Great Lawn
2025-06-28 11:00 - 12:30 | 146 Hartford Road, Manchester, 146 Hartford Rd, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
This free history walk features the “Great Lawn” and proceeds along streets and lawn to view historic mansions and the nine acres purchased by the Town in 2005 for open space and historic preservation. Cheney district commission members Tom Ferguson and Susan Barlow will comment on the historic landscape and buildings. There is some steep and uneven ground, so participants should wear sturdy shoes or boots. Extreme weather cancels, but the walk will be held in light rain, so please bring an umbrella.

Old Manchester Museum open house
2025-07-05 10:00 - 14:00 | CT
The former Cheney School, built in 1859, houses permanent and special exhibits, maps, school information, Pitkin glass, Cheney silk, etc. Hosts Bob Kanehl and Art Pongratz can help answer local-history questions, and there’s a museum shop to browse — books and maps about local history, as well as gifts for yourself or others. Free admission, donations welcome. Generally open the first Saturday of each month, except holiday weekends, May through December, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Drop by for a visit of 10 minutes or 4 hours! More about the museum here.

Cheney Homestead open house
2025-07-06 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Visit the 1785 Homestead, rich with history, art, furniture, tools, and kitchenware. This cozy house was the residence of Cheney family members from 1785 to the 1960s. The family donated the house and grounds to the Manchester Historical Society in 1968, and it has been a house museum since then. Its usual open house schedule is 1:00 to 4:00 on the first and third Sunday of May through December, except holidays. It’s also open by appointment, 860-647-9983, and for special events. The Keeney schoolhouse, also on the grounds, is open in the warmer months. Come for 10 minutes or three hours! Free. Donations welcome.

Charcoal hike at Highland Park
2025-07-12 13:00 - 15:30 | Birch Mountain Road parking lot, 78 Birch Mountain Road, Manchester, CONNECTICUT
Strenuous 4.25-mile walk over rough terrain to visit a charcoal mound on the east side of Case Mountain. We will also visit the Adirondack-style summer house at Upper Case Pond, and hikers can choose to end their hike without the charcoal visit. That option would cover about one mile. More charcoal info here. Meet at the kiosk in the parking lot on Birch Mountain Road, near its intersection with Camp Meeting Road, across from West Carter Street. Closest GPS is 78 Birch Mountain Road, Manchester.

Woodbridge open house & tavern talk
2025-07-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Woodbridge Farmstead, 495 Middle Tpke E, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
SPECIAL EVENT during open house: Maude McGovern’s presentation at 2:00 p.m., “Woodbridge’s House of Entertainment: An Early American Tavern.” The 1830s-era farmhouse and grounds welcome visitors, young, old, and in between! Take a guided tour of the house and a self-guided tour through our 18th-century barn. Check out the displays inside our Visitor Center Barn showing some of the history of Manchester Green. The Farmstead committee organizes events on many of the open house days — farm animal visits, antique farm tool exhibit, duck races, history talks. The Farmstead is located near the intersection of East Middle Turnpike and Woodbridge Street. Visitors can park at the municipal lot behind the Senior Center or along the street between the Senior Center and the farmstead itself. From the street, walk to the back yard using the grass driveway between the house and Woodbridge Pizza. The Woodbridge farmstead is on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm was donated to the Manchester Historical Society by Raymond and Thelma Woodbridge in 1998. Open houses are usually held on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, through October (except May, when holidays fall on those dates and we’re open the first and third Sundays). Free, donations welcome.

Tour of West Cemetery
2025-07-13 14:00 - 15:30 | 271 Spencer Street, Manchester ct, 271 Spencer St, Manchester, 06040, United States
Walking tour plus stone-cleaning demonstration at the West Cemetery, which was laid out in 1740, when the land was part of East Hartford. It became part of Manchester in 1823, and is our first cemetery. It’s located on Spencer Street near the entrance ramp to I-384, accessible just beyond the I-384 on-ramp, which enters the cemetery’s northwest corner on the right. Park either at the commuter lot, or drive into the cemetery. Gravestone Network founder, Ruth Shapleigh-Brown, says, “The families buried here have connections and history that go back to our early settlement times and the Revolutionary era. In a listing done by Mrs. Kingsbury in the 1930’s, here are totals of family members buried here: • Forbes, 13, • Bidwell, 13, • Brewer, 11, • Kennedy, 26, • Keeney, 46, • Olcott, 30, • Spencer, 74, • Marsh, 16, • Case, 21, •Hills – the winner with 130.” Co-sponsored by the Historical Societies of East Hartford and Manchester.
