New! Online store --

Tree ornaments, t-shirts, hats, jewelry, mugs. Special 15% off online only, use code THANKFUL. Society President Jack Prior, who created the online store, says, "The tree ornaments will also be available in our museum stores," at:

Shop online here.

Sample ornament, Depot Square, 2.375" x 3," aluminum, image printed on one side in color, glossy finish, red ribbon for hanging. $13.00.

Manchester Green School --

1951 photo in front of the Manchester Green School, East Middle Turnpike, now in operation as the town's Senior Center. Several town schools have been repurposed:

Schools re-used.

Check out the 1951 high school yearbook on our website, too!

Russell Cheney painting of the Homestead.

Homestead open house --

Saturday, December 7, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., 106 Hartford Road. Traditional crafts for all as you visit this early American home, including the Homestead Art Gallery. Be inspired by Manchester's rich history in art. Tour the 1785 Homestead, which was donated to the Manchester Historical Society by the Cheney family in 1968 for use as a house museum. For old photos and history of the Homestead, visit Cheney Homestead history. Note that the Homestead will be closed Sunday, December 8 (usually open on the second Sunday of the month). Donations welcomed for the upkeep of the Homestead.

Old Manchester Museum --

Open Saturday, December 7 from 10:00 to 2:00, 126 Cedar Street. Note: Closed January through April as we create new exhibits. View old maps, a Spencer rifle, vintage voting booth, Pitkin glass. A museum store sells local-history books and copies of maps. Some research resources available. Free; donations welcome. Pictured at right, exhibits at the museum. Pictured below, museum; the former Cheney school, built 1859.

Fireside reading --

Friday, December 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., traditional reading of Charles Dickens's "Christmas Carol" at the Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road. Immerse yourself in this classic 1843 story of Ebenezer Scrooge in a lightly dramatized fireside reading, followed by refreshments and period carol singing. All are welcome! Suggested donation $5.

Painting of the Cheney Homestead by Russell Cheney (1881-1945).

Holly & Ivy gala fundraiser --

Sunday, December 15 , from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the History Center, 175 Pine Street. All welcome to this holiday celebration, a festive cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, a signature cocktail, soft drinks, Christmas cookies, and coffee bar. Silent auction items include gift certificates to Labyrinth Brewery, Woodland Gardens, and Little Theater of Manchester. Dust off your holiday finery and join us for a joyous celebration. Reserve early – limited to 150 guests. $45.00 per person. Click for a printable invitation and additional details. Deadline is December 6 . You can mail in the form with your check, or drop by the History Center on Tuesdays through Fridays from 10:00 to 2:00 to pay by cash, check, or credit card.

Supporting the Manchester Historical Society --

Consider a donation on Giving Tuesday, December 3, by mailing a check, phoning in a credit-card donation at 860-647-9983, or dropping by to see volunteers and staff at 175 Pine St., Tuesdays through Fridays from 10:00 to 2:00. Option to print and mail this donation form.

"I hope you'll support the Society, and help us continue to educate and provide meaningful programs for the community."

-- Jack Prior, President.

Research online with our town directories --

Genealogists and researchers -- check out our online town directories listed in Vintage Reprints. Pictured at right, a page from the 1966 directory, available online: 1966 Directory.

Steampunk --

...at the History Center on Saturday, December 7 from 3:00 to 9 :00 p.m. Host Oddball Newt welcomes attendees to join him "in a traditional retro-futuristic holiday celebration. It'll be a night of merriment and Manchester history, with live music, caroling, tree decorating contest, panel presentations, a photo-booth, and an artisan marketplace." Dressing up in Steampunk or Victorian is preferred but optional. The Eternal Frontier, Manchester's Town Troubadour Bill Ludwig, and The Silk City Chorus perform. Cheese & cracker buffet. Tickets: $15 early online; $20 at the door; $10 for children, teens, senior citizens, and Historical Society members. Cash bar. Purchase online through a link on our website's Events page .

Movie night --

Thursday, December 19, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., at the History Center, 175 Pine Street. We will present a guided tour of Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday classic film starring Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore, with commentary from hosts David Garnes and Peter Millett. Suggested donation $2 per person; $5 per family of 3 or more. Refreshments available for purchase.

Art classes for all levels

At the Cheney Homestead, 106 Hartford Road, ongoing classes continue into 2020 and beyond. Join the Friday drawing class at any time (pro-rated fee). Classical Drawing with Trudy Mitchell, Provincetown Print with Steven Sottile, Book Discussion with Joyce B. Teed. And in 2020, Painting wi th Christina Grace Mastrangelo. Dates, details, instructor bios: Art at the Homestead .

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. .