April 8, 2026

1 2026 Annual Meeting and Exhibit Opening

2 Tickets on Sale: 2026 Historic Preservation Awards

3 People's Choice Award

4 Book Launch: Manchester Through the Lens of Frank Kelly

5 Home School Programs at the Millyard Museum

6 America's Tapestry Project

7 Manchester Trivia Questions

2026 MHA Annual Meeting and Exhibit Opening of "Reflections of the Revolution"

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Millyard Museum

Join us at the Millyard Museum for the Manchester Historic Association’s 130th Annual Meeting. Members will hear a review of the past year from officers and vote to approve board members. 

The meeting will coincide with the opening of the new exhibit, “Reflections of the Revolution: The Derryfield Perspective”. In commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, this exhibit will feature stories, portraits, and artifacts telling the stories of several influential Manchester residents involved in America’s fight for independence. Come and learn about General John Stark, Molly Stark, General Joseph Cilley, Hon. Samuel Blodgett, Isaac Huse, and more! Join us for a first look at the exhibit!

WHERE: Millyard Museum, 200 Bedford Street, Manchester

COST: FREE

Please RSVP by calling 603-622-7531 or emailing history@manchesterhistoric.org

Tickets on Sale Now!

Historic Preservation Awards

May 21, 2026

Join us on May 21 at Manchester Community College as we celebrate Manchester's history at the 2026 Historic Preservation Awards!

Tickets can be purchased here.

Sponsorship opportunities are also still 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 2026 Historic Preservation Award honorees:

Mid-Century Design Award

Doctors Park at Elliot Hospital, 190 Tarrytown Road

City Landmark Award

Central High School Classical Building

Adaptive Reuse Award

Queen City Center, 215 Canal Street

Stewardship Award

Manning House at Brookside Congregational Church

Individual Achievement Award

Phyllis Gagnon 

2026 People's Choice Award
Historic Preservation Awards

Thank you to everyone who cast their votes for the 2026 People's Choice Award and for voting in our Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight!

We are down to four competitors: The John Stark Homestead, Grace Episcopal Church, The Palace Theatre and the Pandora Mill building.

Vote using the link below!

Vote Here!

*Limit one entry per person. Voting for the Final Four closes on April 18.

The winner will be announced at the Historic Preservation Awards on May 21! 

Book Launch: Manchester Through the Lens of Frank Kelly

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Millyard Museum

FREE Admission



Join us for a book launch celebration of the new book, “Manchester Through the Lens of Frank Kelly”, showcasing the remarkable body of work of one of Manchester’s most prominent photographers in the mid-20th century. The book includes rare images of local businesses and notable events, such as multiple presidential visits to the Queen City.  

Come and celebrate the book, and hear from book author, and Frank Kelly’s grandson, Sam Theodosopoulos. 

America's Tapestry Project

Fridays and Saturdays through April

Millyard Museum

included with regular admission

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Manchester Historic Association is excited to announce a partnership with America's Tapestry.

America's Tapestry is a unique exhibition that will feature 13 hand-embroidered panels, one for each of the original colonies. The embroidery is being conducted by talented artisans from New Hampshire to Georgia and each panel illustrates the diverse stories of individual contributions–many overlooked–that reveal each colony's struggle for Independence.

Museums from across the states have volunteered to collaborate on the panels' historical imagery and host the stitchers as they work.

The Millyard Museum is pleased to be hosting the stitchers of the New Hampshire panel as they create this artwork that celebrates the state's pioneering revolutionary spirit. Visitors to the Millyard Museum are invited to come and watch the stitchers as they work every Friday and Saturday (excluding major holidays) in the museum's Elm Street gallery until the work is completed, scheduled for April 2026.

Following the completion of all 13 panels, "America's Tapestry" will tour a number of venues throughout the East Coast, including the Millyard Museum in 2027.

To learn more about America's Tapestry, visit their website: americastapestry.com

To learn more about the design of the New Hampshire panel, click here.

Last Month's Trivia Question:

What Manchester company was the second-largest meat processing company in New England?

ANSWER:

Schonland’s

William F. Schonland and Sons was founded in the 1880s in Manchester by William F. Schonland, the son of German immigrants. The company became especially well known for its hot dogs, which were considered a local staple and a point of pride for generations of residents. At the company’s height, Schonland’s produced over 40,000 pounds of processed meat each week.  

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This Month's Trivia Question: In March 1777, John Stark resigned from the Continental Army after he was passed over for promotion to brigadier general, believing that junior officers with less combat experience were being promoted based on political connections rather than merit.  He returned to New Hampshire and accepted a commission as Brigadier General of the New Hampshire Militia, but only on the basis that he would operate autonomously, separate from the Continental Army command. 

Following his resignation, who was appointed colonel of the First New Hampshire Regiment in place of Stark?

The answer will appear in the next newsletter.