Collection Management Project

In 2012 the Manchester Historic Association initiated an important project focused on its collection of historical objects that are housed in dedicated storage space at 150 Dow Street. Through a generous grant from the Norwin S. & Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation, the Association hired Suzanne DiBella-Olson as Curatorial Assistant for a one-year period. Sue began working in May and since that time has researched nearly all of the objects in the furniture collection. By uncovering the history of each piece, she has advanced our understanding of the collection and has rediscovered many interesting objects that are important to the city’s history. As a result, we are better equipped to care for these objects and can more easily make them available for research purposes. While a great deal of progress has been made, there are many more items to study, including our collections of glass, ceramics, musical instruments, signs, and household accessories. As Sue continues work on this project, we look forward to gaining a better understanding of these collections as well. Photo: Suzanne DiBella-Olson is shown in the Association’s furniture collection area.

Honoring Clare and Dan Callaghan

On September 13, 2012 the Manchester Historic Association honored Daniel and Clare Callaghan with a reception at the Research Center building. The Association’s Board of Trustees used this occasion to thank Dan and Clare for

their friendship and their generosity in supporting our organization, and to wish them well. They recently moved to Roanoke, Virginia, where Dan now serves as City Attorney.

Dan and Clare have had a long relationship with the Manchester Historic Association as members, donors and volunteers. Dan, who was an attorney at Devine Millimet Attorneys at Law, donated his time and professional expertise to our organization on numerous occasions. Most notably, in 1993 he drafted the groundbreaking historic preservation easement that the Manchester Historic Association holds on the historic Frank P. Carpenter House at 1800 Elm Street in Manchester. Clare has been a good friend to the MHA in many ways, and we hear her voice every day as she is the narrator of the video that plays in the textile gallery in the Millyard Museum.

(Left) Clare and (right) Dan Callaghan receive a Life Membership Certificate in honor of their

many years of support to the Manchester Historic Association from (center) Vice President

Matthew Kfoury.

Historic Architecture of Manchester Tour

On Sunday, September 23, 2012 nine fascinating historical properties were showcased in the Manchester Historic Association’s annual Historic Architecture of Manchester Tour. This year’s theme was The Currier Museum of Art and Its Neighborhood. We were pleased to partner with the Currier Museum in celebrating this architecturally significant neighborhood and the religious and cultural organizations that are found there. The Association is grateful to the property owners and institutions who participated in the tour. These included the Currier Museum of Art – 150 Ash Street; the Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester - 669 Union Street; Trendsetters Hair Salon - 155 Myrtle Street; G. Byron Chandler House/St. Hedwig’s Convent - 147 Walnut Street; Temple

Adath Yeshurun - 152 Prospect Street; Jewish Federation of New Hampshire - 698 Beech Street; Holy Trinity Polish National Catholic Cathedral - 166 Pearl Street; David and Kim Hughes, owners of the home at 17 Oak Street; and Jeffrey Matson and Megan McIntyre, owners of the home at 282 Prospect Street.

Photos: (above) Lisa Avery, owner of Trendsetters Hair Salon with Anne Baumeister, volunteer; (below) The Currier Museum of Art; and (right) 282 Prospect Street.

Teaching Local History to Manchester’s Public School Students

During the 2011/2012 school year the Manchester Historic Association piloted a new initiative to reach fourth graders in Manchester public schools. This effort was made possible through a generous grant from Amoskeag Industries, Inc. The Association worked directly with teachers to share Manchester’s history with the students. Jennifer Yakunovich, Museum Educator, presented the hands-on program, “Millyard Memories: The Story of the Amoskeag and Its Workers” to a total of 304 students in 18 fourth-grade classes in 6 schools. Plus, all fourth-grade teachers in the city’s schools received a “Manchester History Information Kit.” This included historical information, copies of primary resources, and a sample lesson plan. The grant-funded in-school program will be offered again during the second half of the

2012/2013 school year. Plus, during the 2011/2012 school year an additional 1,149 students from the city and region took part in educational programs in the Millyard Museum, and several classes have already visited this school year.

Photo: Museum Educator Jennifer Yakunovich with a Highland-Goffe's Falls fourth-grade class on June 12, 2012.

Our New Website Is Unveiled!

We recently unveiled our new modern and interactive website, thanks to the generosity of local company Altos Marketing, Inc. Altos donated the website design, which was created by its talented staffer Matthew Marquis. Altos also donates its web hosting services for the site. We thank Altos, and hope you are enjoying our beautiful new website!

Bringing the sounds of the 1940s to the Millyard Museum

Now you can hear radio sounds from World War II in the Millyard Museum! Bob Molloy of Molloy Sound & Video created a sound box that plays hours of swing music, radio ads, and fireside chats by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Just walk up to the mill workers housing display and enjoy! The Manchester Historic Association is grateful to Bob for his generosity in donating this sound box, as well as a similar box that plays a snappy Sundial Shoe jingle in the Elm Street Gallery. Bob also recently donated portable stage lighting for the museum. Our thanks also to Bob Molloy for producing the Sundial Shoe recording and to our Trustee Ed Brouder for putting together the World War II recording.

Photo: (left) John Batista, employee of Molloy Sound & Video and (right) owner Bob Molloy, standing near the workers housing exhibit.

The Heritage Fund

Please help sustain the work of the Manchester Historic Association with a gift to the Heritage Fund. Donations may be made in memory or in honor of a loved one. All donations are fully tax-deductible, and will be recognized in our Annual Report (unless you wish to remain anonymous). Please make checks payable to the “Manchester Historic Association,” and mail your donation to 129 Amherst Street, Manchester, NH 03101. You may also donate online by credit card at www.manchesterhistoric.org. Your contribution in any amount will be appreciated, and will make a difference.

Photo: The Kfoury family of Manchester gets a lesson in 18th century music from historical reenactor and musician Bill Phenix at the recent Holiday Open House.

The Manchester Historic Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, organization. It operates the Millyard Museum at 200 Bedford Street in Manchester, New Hampshire, at the corner of Commercial and Pleasant streets in the historic Amoskeag Millyard. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Association’s Research Center is located at 129 Amherst Street in downtown Manchester. Research Center hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors (62 & over), $6 college students, $4 children 12-18, free for children under 12. Please call (603)622-7531 for more information and to register for programs, or visit www.manchesterhistoric.org. The Association is also on Meetup: www.meetup.com/Manchester-History-Network and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmoskeagMillyard

The Ram Weathervane Finds a New Home at the Millyard Museum

The distinctive Ram Weathervane once stood atop the roof of the #1 Manchester Mill along the Lower Canal in the Amoskeag Millyard. Recognized as an important example of American folk art, it was presented to the Currier Museum of Art by Dr. Michael Michaels in 1961, and for many years the weathervane was exhibited at the Currier. Recognizing it as a significant piece of Manchester’s history, the Currier has placed the weathervane on loan to the Manchester Historic Association. It was recently installed in the textile gallery in the Millyard Museum. The custom-made display stand was created and donated by Bill Ready of Bill’s Roofing, and installed by his crew. We are grateful to the Currier Museum of Art and to Bill Ready for their generosity.

(Left photo) Shown installing the Ram Weathervane are (left to right) Bill Ready and his employees Jose Rodriguez and Francisco Lemus. (Right photo) The weathervane as installed in the Millyard Museum’s textile gallery.

Manchester Historic Association 129 Amherst Street Manchester, NH 03101