Stories and Photos About the History and Culture of Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire has a long and exciting history—dating back to the Pennacook Native American tribe, who resided along the Merrimack River and fished at Amoskeag Falls. Much later, Henry David Thoreau would pass by this same spot, later recounting his experiences in the area in A Week On the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.
Originally the town of Derryfield, Manchester got its current name in 1810 after the death of Samuel Blodget, who in 1797 said, in effect, “I see a city on the banks of this river that shall one day rival Manchester in England as an industrial power.” Indeed, the town went on to become a booming mill city—at one point being the largest textile producer in the world. Even after the mills went out of business, Manchester still drew residents of New Hampshire in for shopping, dining, and more.
Now, as tech companies move into the Millyard and breathe new life into those iconic brick buildings, and old storefronts along Elm Street are rebirthed into new restaurants, retail stores, and more—we recount with fondness memories of Manchester’s past, while also paying homage to the revitalizations happening today.
