23 Walks: Center Memorial Park.

All are welcome to a free event on Sunday, September 17, at 1:00 p.m., starting at the front steps of the Town Hall, 41 Center Street. At the Civil War statue, we will recognize the 146th anniversary of the unveiling of Manchester’s Civil War monument. At the unveiling in 1887, there were speeches, a parade, band music, and a reading of the names of local soldiers who died during the Civil War; it was noted that the date, 1887, was the 15th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, in Sharpsburg, Maryland. The Town Historian, Susan Barlow, will lead the walk and provide commentary on the statue, its artist, and the foundry where it was cast. We will also visit the 102-year-old D.A.R. fountain, the 103-year-old Spanish-American War monument, and the 114-year-old Dancing Bear fountain. The flagpole pavilion was designed by noted architect Charles Adams Platt, a Cheney family member. The park is part of the Main Street Historic District, listed on the National Register in 1996. Park behind or on the side of the Town Hall. Rain or shine, so please bring an umbrella if needed. One of the 23 Walks in 2023, celebrating Manchester’s 200^th birthday. More on the events page of www.manchesterhistory.org