Historical Society Activities

In addition to the regular monthly programs, MHS is involved in many activities including some for the Town's 250th year celebration of its chartering. Since MHS is 501 (c) (3) and receives no funds from the town or state so no taxpayer dollars are used for any of these activities. There is no paid staff. Some of the activities include:

1)Writing and researching books. To be released this summer is the Arcadia book(top photo above is cover) on Manchester with many old photographs. Freddie Templeton, Judy Harwood, Bill Badger and Sue Washburn were the main collaborators on this massive effort of sorting through the MHS archives.

2)Displaying Manchester artifacts and books: The Historical Society maintains the display cases in the Kilburn Room at the town hall(2nd photo from top above) An additional display(in a separate MHS case) is the recently completed display of artifacts for the Manchester Journal which is celebrating its 150 year of publication. It was started May 28,1861.

3)Walking tours are provided to residents and visitors. Shown above(3rd image from the top) is Judy Harwood with a tour group in fromt of the Equinox Resort. Contact Judy at 802-362-3708 to arrange a tour.

4) Promoting Manchester at historic events such as Ethan Allen Days and Vermont History Expo in Tundbridge. Shown above(4th picture from the top) are Bob and Sally Treat along with Manchester's Ed Knight at Ethan Allen Days in Bennington

5) Coordinating and arranging interpretive markers for the town. Several are planned including one for the Factory Point Town Green. Shown above(5th image from the top)are some members of the MHS Board discussing the future location of the Vermont State Historical Marker on the Manchester Village Green opposite the Equinox Resort.

6)Exhibiting at SVAC. A month long exhibit of MHS prints will shown at the Yester house starting July 23, 2011

7) Assisting in Geneology research: MHS gets several requests for Geneology studies. Since the MHS archives contains many unpublished family histories we provide access to these as they are not available on line. Contact Judy at judyannh@together.net or 802-362-3708.

8) Conducting field and in school programs for childrem such as those at MEMS.

Terry Tyler Collection-Shelburne Museum

Terry Tyler has been collecting firearms for over 5 decades. His collection of over 100 pieces of Vermont firearms is now on display at the Shelburne Museum. It will be on display until October 30, 2011. Terry is a long time resident of Dorset and Manchester Historical Society Board member. The Shelburne Museum held an opening reception for Terry and his world class collection. An entire building was set aside by the museum. Also in attendence at the opening reception was MHS board member Ted Hopkins and his wife Lois as shown.