Manchester Historical Society

Holiday open houses at the Homestead
2025-12-06 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Very special occasions at the 1785 Homestead, decorated for the holidays by the Manchester Garden Club. Kick off the holidays with a glass of mulled cider, and visit the exhibits, furniture, and artwork with the help of our volunteer guides. Parking available on the lawn (head-in please, for maximum room). Think about a self-guided walking tour on the Saturday, when you can add visits to the Old Manchester Museum at 126 Cedar Street (open 10:00 to 2:00) and the History Center at 175 Pine Street (open 12:00 to 4:00). Make it a hands-on history day. The Homestead’s Sunday opening also includes refreshments and holiday décor. Free. Donations welcome.

Holiday Open house, day 2
2025-12-07 11:00 - 15:00 | Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Very special open house at the 1785 Homestead, decorated for the holidays by the Manchester Garden Club. Kick off the holidays with a glass of mulled cider, and visit the exhibits, furniture, and artwork with the help of our volunteer guides. Parking available on the lawn (head-in please, for maximum room). Free. Donations welcome.

History Hike of Highland Park
2025-12-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Case Parklet at Highland Park, 670 Spring St, manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Explore the Case Brothers National Historic District in the Highland Park section of Manchester. Includes history walk, visit to the 1917 cabin, and an optional climb to the lookout with its scenic view of Hartford and beyond. Meet at the small parking lot near the picnic tables, GPS 670 Spring Street. 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 along steep, bumpy, and rocky terrain. Please wear sturdy sneakers or hiking boots, and bring water. No dogs, please. Rain or shine; extreme weather cancels. Please check the street signs carefully before parking to avoid parking tickets. Town Historian Susan Barlow will lead the moderately paced walk.

POSTPONED! New Year's Day walk on the Great Lawn
2026-01-01 13:00 - 14:30 | 146 Hartford Road, Manchester, 146 Hartford Rd, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Due to severe weather predictions, we are postponing this walk. 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.

Cheney Railroad history walk
2026-01-10 13:00 - 15:00 | 146 Hartford Road, Manchester, 146 Hartford Rd, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Hikers will trace 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 start our hike in the South End, heading north toward Center Springs Park. We will see the foot-bridge over Bigelow Brook. Some of the hike will be along roads, and some along the rail trail. About 3 miles round trip. Extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please. Free. C. 1900 photo of the South End depot.

Lakeview walking tour
2026-02-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Lakeview, 233 South Main Street, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Stroll in the Lakeview neighorhood, platted in 1925, and developed by C.E. and F.E. Watkins. The “Lake” which it overlooks is actually Globe Hollow Reservoir, with its pretty causeway that you can drive along to get to the golf course, and beyond that into Glastonbury. Extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please. Meet at the corner of South Main Street and Comstock Road. Park along side streets.

Cheney Railroad history walk
2026-03-21 13:00 - 15:00 | 18 Main Street, Manchester, 18 Main Street, Manchester, CT, 06042, United States
Hikers will trace the route of the former railroad, built in 1869 to connect the main rail line in the North End with the Cheney silk mills in the South End. At 2.5 miles, it was the shortest private freight-and-passenger railroad in the United States. We will start our hike in the North End, heading south toward Center Springs Park. We will see the foot-bridge over Bigelow Brook. About 3 miles round trip. Extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please. Free.

"The American Revolution as an International Event"
2026-03-22 13:00 - 14:15 | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
A talk by Manchester Historical Society president and CCSU professor, Steve Armstrong. The American Revolution was affected by events and ideas in both Europe and other parts of the Western Hemisphere. This presentation will discuss the intersection of these ideas and events, and analyze how the American Revolution impacted and inspired actions in other countries.

History Hike of Highland Park
2026-04-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Case Parklet at Highland Park, 670 Spring St, manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Explore the Case Brothers National Historic District in the Highland Park section of Manchester. Includes history walk, visit to the 1917 cabin, and an optional climb to the lookout with its scenic view of Hartford and beyond. Meet at the small parking lot on Spring Street near the historic bridge and waterfall, not far from the intersection of Spring Street and Glen Road. 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 along steep, bumpy, and rocky terrain. Please wear sturdy sneakers or hiking boots, and bring water. No dogs, please. Rain or shine; extreme weather cancels. Please check the street signs carefully before parking to avoid parking tickets. Town Historian Susan Barlow will lead the moderately paced walk.

Visiting Hollywood
2026-04-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Hollywood, 283 East Center St, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
E. J. Holl developed the Hollywood section of Manchester, with homeowners’ choice of their own style of house. Our walking tour will visit the English-named streets — Westminster, Scarborough, etc. — and comment on the architecture.

“The American Revolution as Seen in American History”
2026-04-19 13:00 - 14:15 | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
A talk by Manchester Historical Society president and CCSU professor, Steve Armstrong. The American Revolution has been seen in very different ways in different periods of American history. This session will analyze these different interpretations of the American Revolution and what they tell us about the time periods in which they were created. In addition, we will discuss how Americans today interpret the American Revolution and what this says about our country.

"Jane's Walk"
2026-05-02 13:00 - 14:30 | 146 Hartford Road, Manchester, 146 Hartford Rd, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Free community-conversation walk led by Jessee Muñiz-Poland, town board member, and Susan Barlow, town historian, this approximately one-mile walk invites us to discuss our experiences of living and working in Manchester. We will visit the History Center after the walk. Inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs, Jane’s Walk is a global festival of volunteer-led walking conversations. Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was a writer and activist who championed a community-based approach to city-building. Her 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, introduced ground-breaking ideas about how cities function, evolve, and fail. Jacobs lived in Greenwich Village and opposed Robert Moses’s plan to build a highway through Washington Square Park. She moved to Toronto in 1968. More https://janeswalk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jane-Jacobs-Ten-big-Ideas.pdf

"Judging Washington and Jefferson today "
2026-05-03 13:00 - 14:15 | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
Our 250th birthday commemoration features a lecture series reflecting on our country’s origins, the desire for independence, and the struggles encountered by patriots and loyalists. Attorney Malcolm Barlow will present the history of two of our founding leaders, and whether their heroic reputations still survive.

Arts & Culture Walk
2026-05-09 12:00 - 14:00 | Town Hall, 41 Center Street, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Free 2.5-mile walking tour through historic districts will emphasize the work of artists and architects, noting their contributions to the culture and economy of Manchester. Terrain is somewhat hilly on this moderately paced walk. Rain or shine; extreme weather cancels. Park at Town Hall and meet on the front steps. Led by Town Historia Susan Barlow, this walk celebrates Manchester’s 2024 designation (by the State of Connecticut) as a Cultural District, and is part of the Manchester Cultural District’s monthly Second Saturday events and the Downtown District’s annual Butterfly Stroll—both offering free family-friendly activity, live music, and community connection from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“What the Founding Fathers Would Say to Americans in 2026”
2026-05-24 13:00 - 14:15 | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
A talk by Manchester Historical Society president and CCSU professor, Steve Armstrong. The Founding Fathers expressed great fears that the system of government they created might not last. In this session we will analyze what the Founding Fathers might have said to Americans today and what solutions they might have offered.

Center Springs Park loop trail
2026-06-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Center Springs Park, 39 Lodge Drive, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Meet at the Manchester Park and Recreation Headquarters, 39 Lodge Drive to explore this 55-acre urban park in the geographical center of Manchester. Learn some of the history of the park, and view interesting rock formations and a gorge on this approximately 1-1/4-mile hike. The terrain is a bit hilly. Optional additional walk to the nearby Cheney Railroad. History and lore on our website at Center Springs Park. Connecticut Trails Day and its hundreds of hikes, biking and canoing expeditions, is sponsored by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. Volunteers from across the State lead activities to encourage enjoyment of the outdoors in forests, parks, and along rivers and streams

Salter's Pond loop trail
2026-06-07 13:00 - 14:00 | CT
Moderately paced one-mile scenic walk on the loop trail at Salter’s Pond, starting at the parking lot of Salter’s pool, 123 Lydall Street — 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. The walk may be wet depending on the weather, and hikers should wear sturdy footwear. The route is not mountainous, but does have stairs, hills, and bumpy spots, where roots stick out, so participants need to be agile. No dogs, please. Takes about 1 hour. The pond and adjacent land is owned by the Manchester Land Conservation Trust.
Click here for info about the Lydallville section of Manchester on the Manchester Historical Society’s website.

Families in Motion 250
2026-06-13 08:30 - 11:00 | Center Springs Park, 39 Lodge Drive, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Our friends at UR Community Cares are hosting this family walk/run with the goal of collectively completing 250 miles around Center Springs Park to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary. Event registration is at 8:30 a.m., event from 9:00 to 11:00. Dogs on leash welcome. https://urcommunitycares.org/

"Making war before the War"
2026-06-14 13:00 - 14:15 | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
When did the Revolutionary War begin? You may be surprised by the answer. Attorney Steve Penny will present his research on the events leading up to the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence. Part of our 250th birthday commemoration lecture series reflecting on our country’s origins, the desire for independence, and the struggles encountered by patriots and loyalists.

Summer walk on the Great Lawn
2026-06-27 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. No dogs, please. Extreme weather cancels, but the walk will be held if light rain.

“Connecticut and the Revolutionary War”
2026-06-28 13:00 - 14:15 | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
A talk by Manchester Historical Society president and CCSU professor, Steve Armstrong. How did Connecticut cope with the Revolution?

Cheney Railroad history walk
2026-07-18 13:00 - 15:00 | 18 Main Street, Manchester, 18 Main Street, Manchester, CT, 06042, United States
Hikers will trace the route of the former railroad, built in 1869 to connect the main rail line in the North End with the Cheney silk mills in the South End. At 2.5 miles, it was the shortest private freight-and-passenger railroad in the United States. We will start our hike in the North End, heading south toward Center Springs Park. We will see the foot-bridge over Bigelow Brook. About 3 miles round trip, with fairly flat terrain. Extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please. Free.

Downtown & Chamber of Commerce history walk
2026-08-08 11:00 - 12:30 | St. James parking lot, Park Street, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Visit historic Downtown, starting at the parking lot at the corner of Main and Park Streets, near St. James Church (enter the lot from Park Street). The walk will take about 1.5 hours, and will include a visit to the offices of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Our Downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places. Rain or shine. Led by Manchester’s Town Historian, Susan Barlow. Downtown photo by Dick Jenkins.

Manchester Green history walk
2026-09-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Manchester Senior Center, 549 Middle Tpk East, Manchedter, CT, 06040, United States
Explore “The Green” and visit the Woodbridge Farmstead in this one-hour walking tour. The Green boasts our first post office and the tavern that hosted a visit from George Washington. Meet on the front steps of the Senior Center. Plenty of parking behind the building. Rain or shine.

Walking tour in Center Memorial Park
2026-09-19 13:00 - 14:15 | Town Hall, 41 Center Street, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
We’ll visit the monuments in the park, noting the memorials to soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, Civil War, and Spanish American War. The Civil War statue was unveiled on September 17, 1877, the 15th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Maryland, and we’ll provide commentary on this huge ceremony with its bagpipes and inspiring speeches. About one hour, and about one mile. Meet at the front steps of Town Hall, 41 Center Street. Rain or shine, but extreme weather cancels.

Landmark District walking tour
2026-10-03 13:00 - 15:00 | 146 Hartford Road, Manchester, 146 Hartford Rd, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Free history walk in the Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark District, co-sponsored by the District Commission, and the CT State Community College Manchester Institute of Local History. This two-hour walk visits the former silk mills, and related buildings and streets, with commentary on silk manufacturing, labor relations, and the South Manchester Railroad. This will be the 51st such walk in the mill district. All welcome. Rain or shine; extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please.

Bush Hill walk
2026-10-10 13:00 - 14:30 | Cider Barn, 330 Bush Hill Road, Manchedter, CT, 06040, United States
Three-mile moderately paced walk at the former Botti farm, farmed for most of the 20th century by immigrants from Italy. We’ll offer several options, including a couple of shorter distances. Learn more about the Bush Hill area, which included a Podunk Indian camp, as we explore the Manchester Land Trust’s 177.5-acre property in southwestern Manchester. We’ll view the fall foliage, and explore some of the 5+ miles of blazed trails. We’ll see forest, meadow, and ponds, with woodsy paths and old farm roads. The terrain varies from hilly to wet to flat. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Adaptive re-use in the South End
2026-10-18 12:00 - 13:00 | CT
View major examples of re-use of buildings in this one-mile walk in the Historic District. Mill buildings now apartments; firehouse now a museum. Moderate pace along sidewalks. We’ll also visit the Cheney Homestead, built in 1785 and opened in 1969 as a house museum.

East Cemetery walk
2026-11-08 12:00 - 13:15 | East Cemetery, Harrison Street, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
We’ll explore several parts of the cemetery with Ruth Shapleigh-Brown of the CT Gravestone Network. Ruth will describe the change from graveyards to cemeteries along with symbolism of the artwork on the older gravestones. We’ll visit the 2.5-acre Cheney Cemetery, adjacent to East Center Street. Meet at the Harrison Street entrance to the cemetery. Park on the street, or along the lanes in the cemetery

North End history walk
2026-11-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Whiton Library, 100 North Main St., 100 North Main St., Manchester, CONNECTICUT, 06042
Explore the charm of the old North End, viewing what remains from 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.
