Gather. Preserve. Educate.
Events
Our Mission
“To promote an appreciation of history through acquisition of Manchester historical materials, to assist with restoration and preservation research of homes, churches and public buildings having special historical or architectural significance; to establish a museum open for viewing by the general public; to operate the same for educational purposes; to acquire and display articles of historical significance to the Village of Manchester and adjacent areas; to preserve the history of the area through taped and written interviews with area residents.”
2025 – 2026 Monthly Meeting Topics
Manchester Area Historical Society (MAHS) strives to make Manchester area history interesting, useful and meaningful to the citizens of today. Please join us for our regular monthly meeting, held September through June, the second Thursday of the month, 7:00pm, at the Kingsley-Jenter House 302 E. Main St Manchester (unless otherwise noted).
Our meetings are informal and include presentations on a wide variety of interesting topics representing a mix of local, state and national themes. Everyone is welcome, and attending a meeting is an excellent way to get started on your own journey into history! See below for upcoming planned presentations.
September 11, 2025 – Calendar Review – Review of the history behind the photos in the 2026 MAHS calendar.
October 9, 2025 – Civil War Memorabilia – View various artifacts from the Civil War.
November 13, 2025 – Family History – Learn how to research your family’s history.
December 11, 2025 – Christmas Cookie Exchange – Exchange a plate of cookies and celebrate the holidays among friends and neighbors.
January 8, 2026 – Show and Tell Event – All are invited to bring artifacts to share or inquire as to its use or origin.
February 12, 2026 – Henry Ford’s Automotive Evolution 1903-1932 – Learn about the evolution of Mr. Ford’s automotive history from our own historian and Vice President, Mr. Barry Allen!
March 12, 2026 – Manchester Area Native American History – Silas Bialecki, Lifelong Iron Creek resident and passionate interpreter of natural resources and Indigenous culture will present on Manchester Area Native American history.
April 9, 2026 – Kit Houses in Manchester – Did you know Manchester has houses made from kits that were ordered through catalogs? Learn all about them and the locations of each from our own architectural historian and board member, Ms. Jaimie Schmidt!
May 14, 2026 (6:00 p.m.) – Bob and Sandy Mottice Schoolhouse – Come explore this unique setting for our monthly meeting at a special time – 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place in the old schoolhouse and opportunity to tour this beautiful property.
June 11, 2026– Annual Picnic – details will be forthcoming
Blacksmith Shop 2025-26 Concert Series
Link to purchase concert tickets can be found on the events calendar above.
Michigan One Room Schoolhouse Association
On September 13th, the Michigan One-Room Schoolhouse Association (MORSA) had their annual meeting at the MAHS Kingsley-Jenter House, and the Robert and Sandy Mottice Homestead on Pleasant Lake Road in Manchester. MORSA exists to help preserve and promote historic one-room schoolhouses throughout Michigan. Approximately 60 persons attended the day-long event.
The meeting had a lot of interesting information, including a morning presentation by Keith Howard titled, “Rural Schoolhouses in Real Postcards”, and updates from members on preservation efforts at various schools throughout Michigan. The afternoon was spent at the Mottice Homestead, where Bob described reconstructing the Washtenaw Sharon Township #6 one-room schoolhouse after moving it to his homestead. MORSA members from around the state were quite impressed with our little town and all the history that we have preserved.
Interested in One-Room Schoolhouses? More information on this historic preservation effort is available at www.miorsa.org, or on Facebook at Michigan One-Room Schoolhouse Association.
