Save the date -- our annual dinner, Friday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Manchester Country Club, 305 South Main St., with socializing and cash bar at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by a history program about antiques and how collecting has changed. Click invitation on right for details.

Prizes: Wear your antique finery -- jewelry, clothes, shoes -- and maybe win a prize. There'll also be a prize for vintage fashion we are GLAD is no longer in vogue.

All welcome! Bring your friends, neighbors, relatives.

Manchester has work by several famous architects, such as Cheney Hall, designed by Hammatt Billings. More about Manchester architecture.

Hall of Records, now the Probate Court --

Read about the 1896 Hall of Records, which has also served as the police department, now the Greater Manchester Probate Court. Architects were Hapgood and Hapgood, who also designed the Connecticut State Library, Travelers Insurance buildings, and homes in the Hartford area.

Third Thursday movies --

Thursday, February 20, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Movie Night at the History Center, 175 Pine Street, second of our three-movie series -- "Winter Classics: Frank Capra's Enduring Legacy," following the format of classic movie and discussion. February will bring the 1936 "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," with Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur. Hosts David Garnes and Peter Millett.

Suggested donation $2 per person; $5 per family of 3 or more. Refreshments available for purchase. Also, March 19.

Genealogy group --

Meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the History Center, 175 Pine Street.

March 10, we'll welcome professional genealogist Meagan Cairns, Adult Programming Librarian at the Rockville Public Library in Vernon, CT. Before moving to Connecticut, she worked for the East Baton Rouge Parish Library in Louisiana, where she began teaching genealogy classes in 2018. She currently specializes in Connecticut, Louisiana, DNA, and Deep South African-American Ancestry research. She is a member of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists.

Kids at Porter Street School, now the location of Highland Park School, and a family tree logo.

All are welcome to the genealogy group. .

The Genealogy group is for both amateur and more experienced genealogists. 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). Visit Genealogy Page for more info or to contact the coordinator.

Research various genealogical and historical sources on our website, especially on the Reprints Page, which has Town directories, high-school yearbooks, obits, etc.

New offerings in our art classes for all levels including beginners; start at any time!

Classical drawing in the new "mill studio" at the History Center -- enter at 199 Forest Street; parking along the side of the building. Learn to draw accurately and realistically using the sight-size method. Learn important concepts of line accuracy, quality, and value structure by drawing from the lithographic plates of Charles Bargue, a 19th-century master artist and printmaker. Info and to register classical drawing, Cheney Homestead arts. Instructor Trudy Mitchell, who can answer questions and describe the program.

And March 6-8, 2020, painting wi th Christina Grace Mastrangelo. Dates, details, instructor bios: Art at the Homestead .

Our open houses are generally the second Sunday of the month, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Keep an eye on our Events page.

Open house --

At the Homestead, open house on Sunday, March 8 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Located at 106 Hartford Road. $5 donation welcomed. The Homestead was donated to the Historical Society along with 5 acres of land by the Cheney family. It opened as a house museum in 1968.

Left, painting of the Homestead by Russell Cheney (1881-1945). Click the picture for a 1969 article about the donation of the Homestead.

Our February TV show --

"Joe McCluskey Statue Dedication,” a 52-minute television show recorded on November 10, 2019, at the unveiling of the sculpture of Joe McCluskey, Manchester runner and Olympic steeplechase champion, with speeches by Joe's family, the sculptor, Mayor Moran, and members of the Road Race committee. Town Troubadour Bill Ludwig and friends sang an original song about Joe. You can watch this month's show right on your computer, via the Public Access website by clicking: "Statue Dedication" TV Show on Public Access TV.

Pictured above, members of the Sculpture Committee (not all were present for the picture).

To watch on your TV: The show airs at 12:00 noon and 8:00 p.m. on Cox cable channel 15 on Saturdays, and runs on all the Saturdays of the month. The show changes each month. This Channel 15 broadcasts in Manchester, Glastonbury, South Windsor, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, and Newington.

Crossword puzzles --

Test your knowledge of Manchester history! If you missed a puzzle, you can find them at history puzzles .

Remember, the puzzle editor welcomes your ideas for Manchester-history clues.

"Reply" to this email with your not-too-hard puzzle clues.

Membership for yourself or --

Consider a gift membership for a friend or loved one. Why join a local historical society, even if you don't live in that town? Some reasons: • support education about the history of the town • support preservation of artifacts and vintage photos • join in advocating for preservation of historic buildings and parks that make Manchester charming.

Print this online donation form and mail to 175 Pine Street. Or drop by the History Center, Tuesdays through Fridays from 10:00 to 2:00. Direct questions to 860-647-9983.

Additional ways to donate: Employer matching gifts! Direct United Way donations to the Society. Sign in to Amazon via Amazon Smile and have a percentage of your purchases go to the Society. .