Added on October 4, 2021 Sara Swanson

Chamber of Commerce Spotlight: Manchester Area Historical Society

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The Manchester Mirror is partnering with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce to highlight a different Chamber of Commerce member each week! This week we are starting with spotlighting The Manchester Area Historical Society. Visit https://48158.com/ for information on joining the Chamber.

The Manchester Area Historical Society (MAHS) is devoted to determining and preserving the "true history" of how our town and the surrounding townships got started and evolved. They enjoy finding little-known facts about the people and events — "Manchester Tidbits," as they call them. They are working hard to catalog and preserve our history, and to get younger generations involved.

“Nothing beats having a group of Klager students visit our archives, study the 1872 'Birds Eye View' map, find their home as it existed in 1872, and wonder about the people who lived in 'their house,' and what they saw and did."

The Historical Society was founded in 1976 during the country's Bicentennial and will have its 50-year anniversary in 2026.

They started by acquiring the Blacksmith Shop and have since added the Kingsley-Jenter House, the former funeral home. Being able to purchase and preserve this historical building in the heart of the town as both their museum/archives, and as a community gathering place, has been a major accomplishment, and they believe it reflects strong Manchester community interest in this project through participation in their fundraising programs.

They’ve over the years also expanded their programs and outreach. They now produce monthly programs to enrich their members' experience with living in our community. And within the last three years they’ve become very involved in conducting historic home research projects for young people moving into the area with their families, in search of the ideal life of a classic small town.

The MAHS chose to join the Chamber of Commerce as they view the Chamber as a significant liaison for businesses, service organizations, and involved individuals in the community, and they enjoy being a part of community activities led by the Chamber.