March 13, 2025

1 Illustrated Talk: All Aboard for Pine Island Park!

2 2025 MHA Annual Meeting & Exhibit Opening of "All Bottled Up!"

3 World War II - Letters from Home

4 Save the Date: 2025 Historic Preservation Awards

5 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Discounted Tickets

6 Manchester Trivia Questions

All Aboard for Pine Island Park!

THIS SATURDAY!

Saturday, March 15, 2025

11:00 a.m.

Millyard Museum

For 60 years, Manchester had its own Coney Island, Freedomland and Old Orchard Beach all rolled into one. On Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., you’re invited to revisit the glory days of Pine Island Park. Manchester Historic Association Trustee and Past President Ed Brouder will give an illustrated presentation at the Millyard Museum.

Located on Pine Island Pond, just off Brown Avenue, the park was a clever way to attract more business to J. Brodie Smith’s electric trolley line in 1902. Pine Island offered everything fun – swimming, canoeing, dancing, roller skating, musical entertainment, amusement rides, refreshments, and even a theater. 

It started to feel a little pinched for space when the City of Manchester built an airport next door and the Army Air Corps expanded it during World War II. The 1938 hurricane damaged the famous roller coaster – and a fire did serious damage in 1961 – but it was changing times and changing tastes that doomed the park. Pine Island’s last day was September 3,1962.

Free with Museum Admission. Please RSVP by calling (603) 622-7531 or email history@manchesterhistoric.org

Thank you to the Airport Diner, part of The Common Man Family in New Hampshire, for sponsoring this presentation!

2025 Annual Meeting and Exhibit Opening of

"All Bottled Up! The History of Bottling in Manchester"

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

5:30 p.m.

Millyard Museum

Join us at the Millyard Museum for the Manchester Historic Association’s Annual Meeting. Members will hear a review of the past year from officers and vote to approve new trustees.

The meeting will coincide with the opening of the new exhibit, “All Bottled Up! The History of Bottling in Manchester”. Bottling was a prominent industry in Manchester for many years. In the early twentieth century, wines, liquors, and beers were bottled and sold at over twenty businesses in the Queen City, including Quirin Brothers, P. Harrington Sons, and N. J. Pichette. By the 1940s, larger companies like Lafayette Beverages and Silver Brothers/Cott Beverages operated bottling plants in the city, bottling millions of cases of soda a year.

With over 100 glass bottles from Manchester on display, this exhibit will take a look at the history of the many liquor, soda, dairy, and other bottling businesses in the city over the years.

Hear about the history of bottling from local historian Dennis Sasseville, followed by a first look at the exhibit.

Free Admission. Please RSVP by calling (603) 622-7531 or email history@manchesterhistoric.org

World War II

Letters from Home

Thursday, April 24, 2025

5:30 p.m.

Millyard Museum

Join us for this exciting new program where guests will enjoy dramatic readings from costumed actors retelling the riveting events on World War II from the perspective of Isabel Morse, a longtime Manchester resident.

Taken from actual diaries in the MHA collection, Isabel dictates everyday life amidst the turmoil of WWII. She recalls news of D-Day, frustration over rations and the pain only a mother can feel having her son deployed across the ocean. Accompanied by the musical stylings of Jeff Rapsis, this is sure to be an evening to remember!

Tickets available for advance purchase by visiting our website. $15 MHA Members, $20 non-members. Reserve your spot today!

Purchase tickets here!

Save the Date!

2025 Historic Preservation Awards

May 20, 2025

The Manchester Historic Association is pleased to announce that it has selected five honorees for the 2025 Historic Preservation Awards, to be held on May 20 at the Matarese Commons at the Derryfield School.

Tickets to the 2025 Historic Preservation Awards can be purchased here.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available! Click here to learn more or click here to purchase a sponsorship.

The Historic Preservation Awards program recognizes and supports the efforts of individuals, businesses and organizations that have made significant contributions to the preservation of buildings, neighborhoods, traditions, and other historic resources in the Queen City. 

Congratulations to the 2025 Historic Preservation Award honorees:

Homeowner’s Award

Richard Soares for his home at 443 Bridge Street

Stewardship Award

Lucia Merritt Carlisle for her home at 35 Oak Street

Conservation of Natural and Structural Resources Award

City of Manchester Department of Public Works for the Cohas Brook Trestle

City Landmark Award

First Baptist Church, 536 Union Street

Conservation of Cultural Resources Award

Antiques on Elm for their business at 321 Elm Street

New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Discounted Tickets

The Manchester Historic Association is proud to partner with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats to offer discounted tickets to any Fisher Cats game you would like to attend during the 2025 season!

Follow the discount ticket link below and enjoy discounted tickets with a portion of every ticket being donated back to the MHA!

By purchasing tickets through this link, you'll not only enjoy a fun night at the ballpark, but also support the preservation of Manchester's rich history. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference while cheering on the Fisher Cats!

Purchase tickets here!

Last Month's Trivia Question:

What business on Manchester’s west side that produced and bottled whiskey and wines was started by two brothers who immigrated to Manchester from France?

ANSWER:

Quirin Brothers, founded by Eugene and Joseph Quirin. The brothers sold many varieties of whiskey, as well as marketed their own brand and distributed them in large ceramic jugs. In addition to whiskey, the Quirin Brothers also sold their own wines. The Prohibition era of the 1920s eventually ended the Quirin Brothers’ sales in alcohol production. 

 __________________________________________________________________

This Month's Trivia Question: On April 12, 1719, 16 Ulster Scots came to New Hampshire from Ireland and settled "Nutfield", which included present-day Southern Manchester. Along with domestic sheep and flax, they brought what vegetable with them?

The answer will appear in the next newsletter.