September 8, 2015
In This Issue
1891 Time Capsule on Exhibit at the Millyard Museum
MHA Director of Operations Jeff Barraclough examines the contents of the time capsule
A glimpse into the Queen City's religious past was recently discovered during the demolition of the old St. James Methodist Church building on Pennacook Street in Manchester.
 
A time capsule was placed in the cornerstone of the building during the church's construction in 1891. On August 24, the capsule was uncovered, and the contents were in remarkably pristine condition.
 
They included several historical church documents and Manchester newspapers from the week the capsule was buried. Among the items were collection envelopes used to raise money for the building's construction.
 
A newspaper report from the Manchester Union on August 18, 1891, reported on the laying of the cornerstone, describing it as "a hermetically sealed copper box, which was made to fit in an oblong resting place in the cornerstone."
 
The church was founded in 1881 as the People's Methodist Mission Church. The name was changed two years later to the St. James Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation disbanded in the early 1950s. The building was then used by the Calvary Baptist Church and, later, the North End Church of Christ.
 
Gethsemane Lutheran Church, the current owner of the property, recently donated the capsule and its contents to the Manchester Historic Association. The material is on temporary display at the Millyard Museum and will be permanently kept in the Association's archives.
Book Signing - The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company
T he Amoskeag Manufacturing Company: A History of Enterprise on the Merrimack River by Aurore Eaton 
Saturday, September 19, 2015 
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Short talk by the author at 2:15 p.m.
Included with regular admission to the Millyard Museum; FREE to MHA members
 
 

The new book by local author Aurore Eaton, The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company: A History of Enterprise on the Merrimack River, tells the story of the powerful corporation that created the vast mill yard that stretches for over a mile along the banks of the Merrimack in Manchester. The company's products included the famous Amoskeag ginghams, the denim used to make the first Levis blue jeans, steam locomotives, steam fire engines, and rifle-muskets for the Union Army during the Civil War. The book tells how the Amoskeag developed Manchester as a planned city, and highlights its labor history, including the influx of immigrant workers, the controversial reality of child labor, and the devastating effect of strikes. Published by History Press, the book includes numerous photographs from the Manchester Historic Association collections.

Aurore Eaton is the former Executive Director of the Manchester Historic Association, and the author of the Looking Back newspaper column that appears weekly in the New Hampshire Union Leader.

  

Note: This book is now available to purchase in the Millyard Museum Shop  for $21.99.


Weston Observatory Foliage Viewing
October 3-4 and October 10-11, 2015   
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
$10 per person or $25 per family 
$5 off for MHA members 

We are back this year with another opportunity to climb to the top of the Weston Observatory!  Located behind Derryfield Park, Weston Observatory was built in 1896 in honor of James Adams Weston, a former Mayor of Manchester and Governor of New Hampshire.  The tower stands 66 feet tall, giving an exquisite view of Manchester and the surrounding areas from its observation deck. Normally closed to the public, the Weston Observatory will be open for two weekends in October during peak foliage season.  Picnic tables will be available, so bring a lunch and come enjoy the beautiful fall foliage while experiencing one of Manchester's best kept secrets!

This will also be your first opportunity to purchase your 2015 Manchester Historic Association Collectible Ornament featuring the Weston Observatory! Ornaments will be available for $21.95.

* Saturday, October 3rd is also AARP Day at the Weston Observatory! 
 AARP members receive a discount of $5 on admission to the Weston Observatory (cannot be combined with MHA member discount). Please remember to bring your current AARP card to be eligible for the discount. 

Limited parking will be available in front of the Weston Observatory off of Oak Hill Ave.  Please note that the Observatory is not accessible for people in wheelchairs or who have walking disabilities.


Walking Tour: Valley Cemetery
Saturday, October 17, 2015  
10:00 a.m.- noon
$5 Manchester Historic Association members - $10 General Public  
Pre-registration is required.  Please call (603)-622-7531.

Stroll with John Jordan and Dick Duckoff through Manchester's Victorian-era cemetery.  Designed as a rural garden cemetery, it yields a gripping narrative about the city's rich past - from those who pioneered the growth of the city to the lesser known.  This is designed to be both an informative and relaxing walking tour.  Learn about:
  • The Stark Mill paymaster who was called "a creature merely wearing the human form"
  • The fate of a Mill Agent who called President Pierce a drunkard
  • The disciplinarian schoolteacher who made warm friends and bitter enemies
  • The doctor who lost his life treating the stricken during the cholera epidemic
The tour will begin at the cemetery chapel, visible from the Pine Street entrance

Legacy Gifts - A Lasting Impact

Invest in the Manchester Historic Association for tomorrow and ensure our mission for generations to come!



Support the Manchester Historic Association beyond your lifetime and ensure that your interest and passion for Manchester's history is continued for years to come. By including the MHA in your estate plans, you are helping to ensure that future generations will enjoy learning of Manchester's rich history and unique place in American life. The MHA welcomes those who have included the MHA in their giving and estate plans into The Henry Melville Fuller Society.

Most commonly, people simply name the nonprofit as a beneficiary in their will or trust. A will or trust can be modified during the individual's lifetime if changing circumstances so dictate. You can also name Manchester Historic Association as a beneficiary of an IRA, 401k, 403b, or other qualified gift plan. This simple approach to planned giving may generate significant tax savings for your estate and heirs while supporting the MHA and our mission to preserve and share Manchester's history. You can also name the MHA as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, with potential estate tax savings for heirs and support for the MHA.

For more information, please contact   Eric Berger, Development Director.

The Manchester Historic Association is an independent tax-exempt charitable 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization with the mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Manchester, New Hampshire USA. The Association operates the Millyard Museum and Research Center.   

 

The Millyard Museum is located at 200 Bedford Street in the historic Amoskeag Millyard. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Research Center is located at 129 Amherst Street in the Victory Park Historic District. The Research Center is open to the public on Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and by appointment.  

 

Admission for both facilities is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and over) and for college students, $4 for children 12-18, and free for children under 12. Group rates are available. Please call (603) 622-7531 for more information, or visit the website www.manchesterhistoric.org.

Manchester Historic Association
129 Amherst Street
Manchester, NH 03101
www.manchesterhistoric.org