Manchester Historical Society

1969 Chamber of Commerce Booklet --

Various pillars of commerce pictured in a Herald ad in this 51-year-old booklet. What fun to see these 1969 images! The booklet promotes Manchester as a great place to live and work. Population 47,600 (compared to 42,102 in 1960). The text certainly has an old-fashioned "marketing" flavor. Sample: "In this rare and curious capacity to preserve quiet and peaceful living side by side with urban prosperity and growth, Manchester is almost unique." Still, Manchester continues to have both urban areas and quiet areas -- our lovely parks, for example. Take a look at the 1969 Chamber booklet on our website.

Another throwback to the 1960s, Northview Ski Slope, pictured above in a photo by Sylvian "Sinch" Ofiara. See a portfolio of his photos on our website.

Happy Digital News

Thanks to the generosity of 95 donors, we have reached our goal for the Manchester Evening Herald project! The microfilms have been sent to the company that is digitizing the entire archive, all 431 precious rolls of the original newspaper issues from 1881-1991. We hope the archive will be available for research before the end of March. Particular thanks for grants from the Herbert and Louise Whitney Fund Historic New England , Cruisin' on Main , and the Manchester Sports Hall of Fame , as well as to an anonymous philanthropist who donated a $2500 matching gift.

Meanwhile, read an interesting 1933 Herald article about the last passenger trip on the South Manchester Railroad .

Here's an excerpt from that article:

"After almost 65 years of faithful service during which a sparsely settled village grew into a city-sized community, the "goat train" made its final passenger trip from "Cheneyville" to the "North Manchester" station late yesterday afternoon. Decreased business has forced economies which make it necessary to withdraw the "Goat" from active service.... Hereafter, only freight will be hauled over the line, which is the shortest independently-organized railroad in the world..."

Open house --

At the Homestead, open house on Sunday, January 12 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Located at 106 Hartford Road. Free, donations welcome. Keep an eye on our Events page.

Left, painting of the Homestead by Russell Cheney.

Third Thursday movies --

Starting Thursday, January 16, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Movie Night at the History Center, 175 Pine Street, a new three-movie series begins -- "Winter Classics: Frank Capra's Enduring Legacy," following the format of classic movie and discussion. This month, we're showing the 1934 "It Happened One Night," with Clark Gale and Claudette Colbert. Hosts David Garnes and Peter Millett.

Suggested donation $2 per person; $5 per family of 3 or more. Refreshments available for purchase. Also, February 20 and March 19.

New crossword puzzle --

Your e-newsletter editor, in creating this new puzzle, discovered there's a limit to the length of the clues! There were two long clues, and they had hints, but the hints were cut off. One hint was that this area of Manchester has the same name as a location in California associated with movies. So the 1/10/20 puzzle may be harder than usual without those hints!

If you missed a puzzle, you can find them at history puzzles . Remember, the puzzle editor welcomes your ideas for Manchester-history clues.

Recently posted on our Facebook page

In January, 1871, Cheney Hall hosted Dr. Diocletian Lewis (1823-1886), a prominent temperance leader, feminist, and physical-culture advocate who practiced homeopathy and was the inventor of "the new gymnastics" and the beanbag. Here's what The Couran t said, "Lectures in South Manchester. Dr. Dio Lewis, of Boston, will deliver a course of three lectures in Cheney Brothers’ Hall, South Manchester, commencing tomorrow (Friday) evening at 7-1/2 o’clock, and be continued for two successive Friday evenings. Subject, “Physiology.” An extra train will leave for North Manchester at the close of the lectures. Tickets for the course of three lectures fifty cents; single admission twenty cents."

Other famous speakers at Cheney Hall: Susan B. Anthony, Presidents Grover Cleveland and William Taft, Rev. Phillips Brooks, composer of many hymns, including "O, Little Town of Bethlehem."

Genealogy group --

Tuesday, January 14, at 10:00 a.m. a meeting for both amateur and more experienced genealogists, as we explore topics in genealogy, helping each other with research and in overcoming roadblocks. All welcome. This month, a round-table discussion of your successes getting past brick walls. We will also open up the discussion to other questions you may have. Meet at the Manchester History Center, 175 Pine Street. 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 Tuesday of the month, except December, July, August. Visit Genealogy Page to find out more about the group, contact the coordinator, or read information about previous meetings and presentations.

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

All are welcome to the genealogy group. .

February 11 topic to be determined. 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.

Art classes for all levels including beginners; start at any time!

On Saturday, January 4 , a new six-week series of classical drawing started, 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 .

Yearbooks online --

Even if you didn't graduate in 1956, maybe you'll see someone you know in this 1956 Somanhis online in the Vintage Reproductions of our website. We have so far scanned almost all the yearbooks from 1918 to 1981. Our volunteer scanners have been Bob Gauthier, Dick Jenkins, Susan Barlow, and, for Bennet yearbooks, Joshua Pruden.

Our January TV show --

Diaries and Memoirs of Manchester. This 44-minute show was recorded in 2010, and includes diaries from the Woodbridge and Jones family, and many others. Watch on Saturdays at 12:00 noon or 8:00 p.m. on Cox public access channel 15, or watch any of our last 50 shows on your computer: go to Cox channel 15 website, choose "Manchester Program Schedule," and put "historical" in the search box. Watch this, and other local-history TV shows, at your leisure. You can watch this month's show on the Public Access website "Diaries and Memoirs" TV Show on Public Access TV.

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. .