Manchester Historical Society

Downtown & Chamber of Commerce history walk
2026-08-08 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | 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
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.

History Hike of Highland Park
2026-12-26 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 (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. 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.
