The Manchester Area Historical Society is a small, friendly group with a lively sense of history. We are always looking for new faces, new partners to pick up the local history trail and carry the message into the future. There are many chores yet unfinished that could be completed much more quickly with more volunteers.

In 2006, MAHS celebrated its 30th year as a non-profit, Michigan corporation qualified under section 501(c)3 of the federal IRS code, which permits donations to be listed as deductions for eligible taxpayers. If you are interested in donating historical artifacts, photos, documents or want to give a monetary gift to the Society.

The Society's charter members were mostly life-long residents deeply interested in preserving Manchester area history and meeting together to share recollections of their lives here. Most of these founders are gone. Those of us still here bring a variety of different perspectives to Manchester area history and the artifacts, documents and photographs that tell its story. But our mission, as stated in our 1976 charter, rings as true as ever:

"To promote an appreciation of history through acquisition, restoration and preservation 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."