MAHS puts call out for artifacts as work begins on local history museum

Work is beginning to eventually turn the second floor area above the current garage and workshop of the Manchester Historical Society’s Kingsley-Jenter House into a local history museum. Photo courtesy of Ray Berg.

During the summer of 2016, the Manchester Area Historical Society held a crowdfunding campaign for matching funds and received a State of Michigan for a “Public Spaces Community Places” grant for its new headquarters, the Kingsley-Jenter House, at 302 East Main Street. One of the goals stated was to create a public gallery and exhibit area on the second floor of the building. The Historical Society announced last week they are starting work on the museum and have put out a call for donations of specific items they are looking for.

Sue LaRocque explained that at first they are focusing on two themes one room schools and Manchester businesses up through the mid 1900’s. For businesses, they are looking for any artifacts (things businesses sold), signage, photos, etc. For the school house display, examples of things they are looking for include a school desk, slates, wood burner stove (like used in schools), a chalk board, mannequins, wood pointer stick, ink wells and pens, games (indoor or outdoor), lunch boxes, old school books, a coat rack, etc. If possible, they would like artifacts from local one room schools; however, they may accept some items that would be used in any one room school, especially if they are unable to track down local samples. All items must be donated to the Historical Society, not loaned.  

To donate, contact Sue LaRocque at riverraisinantiques@gmail.com, or stop in at River Raisin Antiques. She has donor paperwork to be filled out. 

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.