Popular and fun!

Great Lawn walk --

Wednesday, January 1 at 1:00 p.m. -- all welcome to a history tour of the Great Lawn, starting at the Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road. This annual event is led by volunteers Tom Ferguson, who grew up in a mansion on the Great Lawn, and Susan Barlow, Town Historian. Plan to dress warmly for this moderately paced walk along bumpy (and possibly snowy!) ground. Takes about 90 minutes. Read author Emily Cheney Neville's comments about the Great Lawn here.

Extreme weather cancels, but we haven't canceled, even when the weather has been extremely cold or snowy. $7 for members; $10 for non-members . More events on our website .

Art classes for all levels including beginners --

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

Gala thanks --

Elaine Mistretta, Gala chairperson, wraps up the December gala: "A good time was had by all. Sparkling trees, a candlelight atmosphere, and Christmas carols on the player piano, provided a perfect venue for mingling. Thanks to the Committee for planning a successful event."

Try a history crossword puzzle --

If you follow our Facebook page and read the eblast, you may already know the answers to this puzzle. Most answers are available on our website.

Here's the puzzle .

Click the icon above to go to the crossword puzzle, where you can zoom in or out, using your browser sizing icons.

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.

People ask if they can visit (or stay in) a mansion on the Great Lawn --

As a service to those interested, we can point you toward these commercial ventures: the Charles Cheney Inn (Air B&B, tea times on occasion, host an event), Philip Cheney Mansion (host an event), Clifford Cheney Mansion (Air B&B, host event or family reunion) and the Seth Leslie Cheney mansion (B&B, bread-making, cooking lessons). No, the Society doesn't get a cut nor do we recommend places to stay! Info is just FYI!

Above, Philip Cheney mansion, 50 Forest St.

Or, come visit the Cheney Homestead, a modest rural house, open on second Sunday of the month from 1:00 to 4:00 -- free, donations welcome. You wouldn't be staying overnight or hosting an event! Next Homestead open house: Sunday, January 12.

Our December TV show --

100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment with speaker Mary Ann Handley and Town Troubadour Bill Ludwig. This 62-minute show was recorded at the History Center on October 27, 2019. Mary Ann Handley spoke about the struggle for equality in voting rights for women, and how the ultimate success came only after decades of work and controversy. Mary Ann Handley is a retired MCC history professor.

Watch on Saturdays at 12:00 noon or 8:00 p.m. on Cox public access channel 15, or watch 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.

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. .