Carroll 250 Event: Manchester 250th Celebration – Cigar Manufacturing in Manchester

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the Town of Manchester will host a program about the town’s unique history as a commercial center for cigar manufacturing between 1860 and 1940.

The speaker will be local historian Joe Getty and the program will be held at the Manchester Activities Building on Thurs., Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m.  This event is free and open to the public.

Cigar Manufacturing in Manchester Presentation

As the nation’s economy evolved during the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s, Manchester found itself at a competitive disadvantage when it failed to attract a railroad line to serve the community.

Instead, Manchester found a niche market in manufacturing cigars at a time when smoking tobacco by cigars became increasingly popular throughout the nation. Manchester cigars were sold locally and shipped across the country to markets on the West Coast.

Mr. Getty, who writes a local history column for the Northern News, will present his own research about the cigarmakers of Manchester, including the attempts to build a local railroad and the rapid growth of the post-Civil War cigar industry in Carroll County. 

In addition, his PowerPoint presentation will include photos of artifacts and descriptions of other historical resources from the Manchester Historical Center at 3208 York St., Manchester.

Dutch Corner Dinner for the 250th Celebration

Also on Thurs., Oct. 22, the Dutch Corner will be serving a 250th Celebration dinner at the Manchester Activities Building.  The Dutch Corner restaurant was the location of the Musselman cigar factory in the 1870s.

The fire company has recently completed a renovation of the Manchester Activities Building and this will be an opportunity for the public to see the newly-designed facility.

The Dutch Corer will be serving a fixed-price, buffet-style menu featuring German cuisine in the Activities Building from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thurs. Oct. 22.

Space is limited so please make a reservation by calling (410) 239-8100.

Manchester Historical Center

The Historical Center collects and exhibits photographs and artifacts about all eras in Manchester’s history.  It is located at 3208 York St. and open on the 1st Sunday and the 3rd Saturday of each month. Hours are 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment on other days.