Historical Society launches a “Pay Off the Mortgage” campaign for the Kingsley-Jenter House

Kingsley-Jenter House. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.

submitted by Manchester Area Historical Society

In 2015, the Manchester Area Historical Society (MAHS) purchased the former Jenter Funeral Home located at 302 E Main St, on the “four corners” intersection of Main Street and M-52 (Ann Arbor Street). Our goal was to create a permanent home for the Society, which includes a museum, archival storage of our historical records and artifacts, a meeting space to host MAHS activities, and support for a variety of Manchester organizations and private parties needing a meeting space.

At that time, we launched a “Pay Down the Mortgage” campaign, seeking tax-deductible donations to the Society as we renamed the building the “Kingsley-Jenter House” in honor of both John and Matilda Kingsley (the original builders and owners in 1904) and the Jenter family who purchased the home and restructured it into the Jenter family residence and funeral home.

Over the last 10 years, this campaign has been very successful and we deeply appreciate the many contributions made over this time. We currently have a remaining mortgage balance of $24,000 on an expiring 10-year loan certificate and hope to refinance this remaining balance on a suitable interest rate and launch a campaign we have entitled “Pay Off the Mortgage” so that we can pay it off as soon as possible.

We would appreciate any support you can provide through a tax-deductible donation to:

Manchester Area Historical Society
PO Box 56
Manchester, MI 48158

Donations will be recognized by a receipt issued by MAHS and through a donation plaque displayed in the Kingsley-Jenter House.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.