Who: Classes of 1970 and 1971 combined.
What: Historic Manchester Tour
When: Sunday October 16 at 1:00PM
Where: The Old Manchester Museum
Map Link: 126 Cedar Street, Manchester CT 06040
Note: There is a $5 suggested donation for this event payable at Old Manchester Museum.
David K. Smith, currator of the Old Manchester Museum, is going to open the museum for us and once again act as our guide. The Manchester Sports Hall of Fame is also housed in this facilty as well as a store offering books and other items for sale.
In addition to the museum we'll also visit the Manchester History Center where an exhibit entitled "Manchester Then and Now" is currently installed. It is described on their website as it "showcases the history of Manchester from pre-Colonial times to the present, and illustrates Manchester’s contributions to the arts and industry. The exhibit tells the story of how people from around the globe and from diverse backgrounds came to call Manchester home. The goal of this exhibit is to illustrate how Manchester’s past relates to the present day."
The Cheney Silk Mills played such a large role in the history and development of Manchester as well as the lives of our grandparents, parents, and our lives. Some of our parents emigrated from overseas to work in the Cheney Mills. How many of you really know much about the details? If you are interested in learning more here's an opportunity.
The Old Manchester Museum is located in an 1859 schoolhouse at 126 Cedar Street. According to their website it contains "collections of maps, artifacts, exhibits of Pitkin glass, Cheney silk, art, military items, and more." Visit the society's page for this exhibit by clicking here. Curator David K. Smith is pictured here.
An excellent book on Manchester History is a book entitled The Story Tellers by Milton K Adams. It is a compilation of news articles going back to the late 1700's. It begins:
Monday, November 9, 1789
Dry and warm. I took my spotted cow out of Richard Pitkin's pasture. Began a new barrel of rum.
Life wasn't too bad back then. That book and others are available for sale at the museum. Milton K. Adams is the father of classmate Paige Adams.
The Cheney Homestead is located at 106 Hartford Road. A visit there is described as "View this 1785 house at 106 Hartford Road, and hear commentary about the residence, which was donated to the Manchester Historical Society in 1968 for use as a house museum." Guided tours include history of the building and its contents, and of the family who lived there. The Keeney Schoolhouse is on the grounds of the Homestead, and is open when the weather is warm enough.
Click here for details on the Cheney Homestead and Keeney Schoolhouse.
The Fire Museum is located at the old Cheney Fire Station at 230 Pine Street. They do have some interesting exhibits there. You can read about it on the Manchester Historical Society's page by clicking here. You can also go directly to The Fire Museum's webpage by clicking here. 
If you are interested in the Cheney Historic District you go on a self-guided walking tour. You can visit this page here for general information, click here. You can view a map of the district with points of interest by clicking here.
