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Summer’s first “Passport to Manchester” event coming this weekend

The Manchester Mill will be the site of this week’s “Passport to Manchester” event. Get tickets online today!

by Marsha Chartrand

Passport to Manchester returns this weekend, from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, July 30!

“Passport to Manchester” is an initiative to explore and highlight landmarks in and around Manchester, through associated historical, visual, musical performance, and cultural diversity themes. This month’s theme event is African American residents and culture in Manchester and the Underground Railroad.

The event will take place at the Manchester Mill on the corner of Main and Adrian Streets, and will feature a brief talk by Mill owner Ken Magee on his ongoing rehabilitation work at Manchester Mill, Freddy Island, etc.; a presentation by Carol Mull on “The Underground Railroad in Manchester – Watkins Farm to Downtown Manchester”; a discussion with Ray Berg of the Manchester Area Historical Society about “Life on Maiden Lane” – Manchester Black Culture in the 1870s, including a walking tour around Ockrow Alley, Adrian Street, and the downtown Manchester area; a selection of music focused on Black 19th century music, by Robert Jones. An open house at the Mill will also be featured.

Along with tickets for the day’s events at just $15, a boxed lunch from Frank’s Place (meat or vegetarian) can also be ordered from the Eventbrite website for an additional $12.

Don’t miss this interesting event and an opportunity to learn more about our community’s historic past.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.