Manchester Historical Society

Open House
2024-05-12 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Usually open 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.

Cultural District walk with Town Historian
2024-05-11 12:00 - 13:15 (America/New_York) | Center Memorial Park, 66 Center St, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
75-minute walk through historic districts, starting at corner of Myrtle and Linden streets in Center Memorial Park — viewing the work of artists and architects, noting their contributions to the culture, aesthetic, and economy of Manchester. This will be a somewhat hilly two-mile walk mostly on sidewalks. Rain or shine; extreme weather cancels. Park at Town Hall, 41 Center Street, or along side streets. This walk celebrates Manchester’s recent designation (by the State of Connecticut) as an arts and cultural district. There’s also a Butterfly Stroll from 10:00 to 2:00 sponsored by the Downtown district.

Genealogy Group meeting, all welcome
2024-05-08 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
The Historical Society’s Genealogy Group meets at the History Center, 175 Pine Street — a meeting for both amateur and more experienced genealogists. This month, welcoming genealogist Noreen Cullen, who will walk through some online websites, both free and paid, that can be used for genealogy research. “We can also talk about various ethnicities of interest to the group’s participants. Then we can discuss in more detail the use of siblings of your direct-line ancestors, to open up a path to go back another generation. Our plan is to project the websites onto a big screen, so we can walk through the steps together. You are welcome to bring an ancestor’s name and dates of birth and death, if known, so we can explore research tactics, as an example for the group. Finally, we can do some searches on the escheated funds your ancestors may have left behind.” The Genealogy Group consists of Historical Society members, but non-members are also welcome ($3.00 fee for non-members). The group usually meets on the second Wednesday of the month.

Woodbridge Farmstead open house
2024-05-05 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Woodbridge Farmstead, 495 Middle Tpke E, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
All welcome to visit the historic barns and grounds, and take a self-guided tour of the downstairs of the c. 1830 house. Located at 495 Middle Turnpike East, at Manchester Green. Special activities on May 5: • A 10-minute video, “A Conversation with Thelma,” wherein Thelma Woodbridge talks about her home and the history of the farm. • Potting Station in the barn, where we will have small plants and flower pots where children or adults can pot up their own plant to take home. • Spring Egg Hunt with prizes. • Refreshments. Throughout the season, which is generally noon to 2:00 on the second and fourth Sundays of the warmer months, there are various activities, including games and fun for children. Free; donations accepted. In May, we’ve adjusted the schedule due to holidays.

Open House!
2024-05-04 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.

Presentation about Native Americans at Historical Society
2024-03-17 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
Who were the people who were already settled on the land when Europeans first arrived in Southern New England, and where did they come from? How did they live before the Mayflower dropped anchor in Cape Cod Bay, and what changed as the European population increased? Steve Penny will take us from our roots in Africa to the last we know of the Podunks: 60,000 years of human activity in three illustrated presentations: Sundays at 1:00, March 17, April 14, and May 12, at the Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street. Free for members; $5 for non-members; free to children under 16. Parking available along Pleasant Street and in the small lot north of the building.

Walking Tour Along the Old Cheney Railroad
2024-02-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | CT
1900 photo 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.
Meet at the office steps, Fuss & O’Neill, 146 Hartford Road, Manchester. 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 town of Manchester improvements at the Park Street bridge and trestle over Center Street. Some of the hike will be along roads. About 3 miles round trip. Extreme weather cancels. No dogs, please. FREE.
Click here to see information about the history of the Cheney Railroad. To enjoy the trail on your own, print a copy of this railroad map.

Open House!
2024-02-11 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Usually open 1:00 to 4:00 on the second Sunday of each month except holidays, and also by appointment and for special events.

Open House!
2024-01-07 10:00 - 16:00 UTC | Woodbridge Farmstead, 495 Middle Tpke E, Manchester, CT, 06040, United States
Join the team at the Woodbridge Farmstead every other Sunday for a fun time.

Genealogy Group Meeting
2024-01-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street, Manchester, 06040, United States
The Historical Society’s Genealogy Group meets at the History Center, 175 Pine Street — a meeting for both amateur and more experienced genealogists, as we explore topics in genealogy, helping each other with research and in overcoming roadblocks. The Genealogy Group consists of Historical Society members, but non-members are also welcome ($3.00 fee for non-members). The group usually meets on the second Wednesday of the month, except during July and August.
