Press Release: Center for History Opens with New Exhibits, New Hours

The North Manchester Center for History at 122 E. Main Street opened in March after its annual winter hiatus.  The Center is open from Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

This year, The Center will host three traveling exhibits from the Indiana Historical Society.  The first, “Faces of the Civil War,” provides images of Indiana’s participation in that war.  The exhibit is enhanced with Civil War artifacts and photographs from the Center for History collection.  The exhibit will be on site until May 24.

The Center has also prepared an exhibit called “Hidden Treasures:  Items Buried under the Sidewalks.”  This exhibit displays artifacts found when the North Manchester downtown renovations took place last summer.  Articles included in the exhibit are copper cable, cast iron (pillars), bottles, and paper items.  An early electric advertising sign is on display, along with photographs of the various storefronts and foundations found underground.  More items will be added if they are discovered during the “south side of the street” renovations this spring.

The Thomas Marshall House historic site has also reopened.  Docents tell the story of the  Thomas Marshall family the first Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  The house was dedicated last summer after many years of fund-raising, restoration work and searching for appropriate furnishings.  It has been restored to the layout and furnishings of 1852, the year the house was built. 

In 2012, the Center for History expanded the hours it is open to the public from 8 hours per week to 33 hours per week.  The North Manchester Center for History regrets that it is no longer open on Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  There was very low demand for being open on Sundays. 

Center for History staff are also in the office week days during our annual winter hiatus and before the museum opens each day.  They are happy to assist people who wish to contribute artifacts to the museum or who would like us to help them with research in our collection and database.  Just come to the alley entrance or call us at 260-982-0672 and we will be happy to arrange to help you.  Special tours can also be arranged.