Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark District Commission

The Cheney Brothers National Historic District Commission is an advisory commission dedicated to promoting, encouraging and securing the preservation and rehabilitation of the Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark District. The Commission advises the Planning and Zoning Commission on all development applications for properties in the Historic Zone which is a part of the district. The Commission also advises the Planning and Zoning Commission on zoning regulation and zoning map amendments, and the Town Board of Directors on publicly funded development activity in the district.

If you own a property inside the Landmark District you may contact the department for advice on renovations or changes you are considering for your property.

Please refer to the Architectural Design Guildlines - Manchester Historic District(PDF, 11MB) for information regarding improvements to historic homes.

Gary Anderson, Director of Planning and Economic Development, or at 860-647-3044.

Saturday, October 8, the 47th Annual Walking Tour of the Cheney Historic District

Commentary by Dr. Christopher Paulin of Manchester Community College, 1:00 p.m. Popular history walk  starting at Fuss & O'Neill, 146 Hartford Road (plenty of parking in the lots west and south of the building). Find out about those huge brick buildings that remain from the days of the world-famous silk mills. Who worked there? Who owned the mills? Where did workers and owners live? This event is co-sponsored by Manchester Community College and the Cheney Brothers National Historic District Commission. We’ll see Cheney Hall, the former silk mills, the location of the former South Manchester Railroad, the former Cheney machine shop, neighborhoods of worker housing, and Washington School. The walk takes about two hours with a distance of a mile or so. No rain date, so bring umbrellas if weather is iffy. Extreme weather cancels. The walk is free. The District walking tour began in 1976 under the leadership of Manchester Community College faculty members John Sutherland and the late Tom Lewis. Christopher Paulin has continued the tradition. To view a map of the District on this website, click Cheney Landmark District. Photo: the 2009 walking tour.

House Tour

Saturday, October 15, 2022 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Sculpture Project 2022 House Tour

Six unique Manchester houses of varied vintages will be showcased on Oct. 15 from 10am to 4pm. The houses range from grand Cheney Mansions (3) to the home of a Cheney employee, a Federal colonial and Victorian house that was moved, intact, from Spring St. to Porter St. in 1966.

Additional features of the Tour include: A Silent Auction, an Artist and Artisan Boutique, and Music by Town Troubadour Bill Ludwig.

Cost: Advance tickets $35. Day of the tour $40.

Tickets and more info

Scheduled Meetings

CBNHLD Interactive Map provided by Manchester Historical Society. For information or questions about this map please email info@manchesterhistory.org or call 860-647-9983.