Woven In Time: 11,000 Years at Amoskeag Falls

A Permanent Exhibit at the Millyard Museum

Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Included with museum admission

See the stone tools of the Paleo-Indians who fished at Amoskeag Falls  thousands of years ago, learn how raw cotton was made into cloth during the Industrial Revolution, and stroll under the lighted arches of Elm Street during its heyday. Learn how the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company developed its famous “mile of mills” and how it shaped Manchester into the largest planned city in New England. Discover what life was like for the people who came here from many different countries to start new lives. The city’s stories are told through creative and colorful displays of original artifacts, documents and photographs, as well as murals and multi-media presentations.

New features of the exhibit include the Ashland No. 1 Amoskeag Steam Fire Engine, manufactured by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in 1871, and the Manchester Wall of Fame, an interactive panel that showcases 48 individuals from Manchester who have made a lasting impact.

Special Exhibit: Queen City Quilts

In the Henry M. Fuller State Theatre Gallery in the Millyard Museum

Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Included with museum admission.

"Queen City Quilts" is an exhibition featuring some of the treasures of the Manchester Historic Association's textile collection.  The quilts in the collection span three centuries and are a unique vehicle for telling the stories of textile manufacturing in Manchester, the quilt makers as members of the workforce, and their communities.

One of the quilts featured is a friendship crazy quilt made by the Ladies of the First Congregational Church for Miss Mary Dana. Her role first as Parish Visitor and then as assistant to the pastor, made her a much loved and respected member of the church which is reflected in the quilt, purported to be made of fabrics from dresses worn by the ladies to functions at the church.  Many of the squares are initialed by the makers and lovingly embellished with fine needle work.  Other quilts include fabric scraps brought home by workers from the local mills, and one is of linen and wool likely grown, spun and woven here in the area. 

 The Special Exhibit, Doctor's Orders: Public Health in Manchester, closed on July 8.  Click here to see a video of a tour of the exhibit, led by MHA Executive Director John Clayton.  

People You Should Know...Portraits from the Collection - PDF of exhibit handout

 Featuring fifteen portraits of men and women from Manchester by artists including  Edward L. Custer, Burris Jenkins, Jr., Henry W. Herrick, Sidney Dickerson, George Soule, and Omer T. Lassonde.

 New Hampshire Landscapes - Paintings from the Permanent Collection  - PDF of exhibit handout

Featuring ten landscape paintings depicting scenes of Manchester and other areas of New Hampshire. Among the locations represented are Lake Massabesic, the Uncanoonuc Mountains, Rock Rimmon, and the Presidential Range. Several paintings also depict some of Manchester’s historical buildings, including the P. C. Cheney Paper Mill, the Smyth Mansion, the City Farm, and the Amoskeag Train Station.  Local artists whose works are represented in the exhibit include Edward L. Custer, Henry W. Herrick, Omer T. Lassonde, Arch McDonnell, Frank French, and L. Luthy.

Visitor Orientation Center For the Amoskeag Millyard Scenic & Cultural Byway

Open most days during business hours

Free and open to the public (museum admission not required)

The Visitor Orientation Center features artifacts from the MHA collection, giant photo murals of the millyard at its height, and maps. The center introduces visitors to Manchester, the historic Amoskeag Millyard and the New Hampshire Scenic and Cultural Byway System.