North Manchester Center for History

04/27/2026

Volunteers for the Center for History had a busy weekend! We had a great time with Manchester Early Learning Center and their first community carnival.
We also did spring cleaning at the Thomas Marshall House in preparation for Saturday, May 2, opening day for the season. Visit us 1-4p this Saturday.
North Manchester Center for History

04/22/2026

We had a great evening last Thursday with our first Art on the Bricks event of the year, with Ron Woodward, Wabash County Historian Emeritus, presenting his program on "Wabash County's Love Affair with the Automobile." Kaleidoscope guest artist, Steve Olsen, was also there to share his "Images of Wabash County" exhibit.

Our next Art on the Bricks program is on June 11 with Civil War expert Terry Smith and guest artist Sharon Fruitt.

04/22/2026

Decoration Day Parade, April 22, 1911. Local car dealer Olinger & Warvel pulled together 56 automobiles to give children rides. They made two trips to Laketon and back to accommodate all the young riders.
The makes of the four autos in front are: Hupmobile, Stanley, Marion, and an Overland.
North Manchester Center for History

04/10/2026

Visit the North Manchester Center for History to see the works of local resident Steve Olsen. His exhibit, Images of Wabash County, features local sights with a unique perspective. All sales benefit the Center for History.

Chat with Steve in person on April 16 when we have our Art on the Bricks program with Ron Woodward and an artist's reception for Olsen. The program starts at 6:30 p.m. Free admission sponsored by Visit Wabash County and POET.

04/06/2026

Join us on Thursday, April 16, for our first Art on the Bricks program for 2026.

Ron Woodward, Wabash County Historian Emeritus, will present on automobiles of Wabash County at 6:30 pm. There will also be an artist's reception for our Kaleidoscope Gallery guest artist, Steve Olsen.

The event is free and open to the public.

03/29/2026

This is a picture of the LITTLE GIANT LAUNDRY STOVE manufactured by the North Manchester Foundry Company. The company was incorporated July 3, 1911, with J.C.F. Martin president, W.J. Ranger, vice-president and John Stauffer, secretary-treasurer. Stauffer would later purchase the stock of W.J. Ranger (1913) and of J.C.F. Martin (1919). The major part of the common stock remained in the Stauffer family until 1947, when all of the outstanding common stock was purchased by the M.H. Detrick Company of Chicago and the foundry became a division of the M.H. Detrick Company. John Stauffer served as general manager from 1911 until his death in April of 1927. His son, R.M. Stauffer succeeded him as general manager and operated the foundry until his retirement in 1968. Upon retirement R.M. Stauffer was replaced by Rolf Westman. The foundry manufactured castings for the Peabody Seating Company. In the 1920s, the foundry branched out into other types of production. J. Stauffer patented a coal and wood burning heating and laundry stove that the foundry began to manufacture. The company produced 20 to 25 thousand stoves a year in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1935, the foundry was making castings for the Ford Meter Box Company in Wabash. During World War II the foundry produced farm machinery castings for the J.I. Case Company of Rockford, Ill. After World War II, the M.H. Detrick Company bought the foundry. At that time Detrick operated two other foundries, one at Newark, N.J. and another at Peoria, Ill. The Newark foundry closed in 1958 and moved production pattern equipment to the North Manchester plant. In 1964 the Peoria, Ill., foundry was closed and more equipment moved to North Manchester. Gladys Airgood shared this comment before her passing “great story, Thanks! I am looking through old newspapers and just found an ad in 1942 showing heating stoves manufactured by the foundry sold at Urschel's store.” The plant closed in 2003 and reopened under new management as Manchester Metals. In 2018 Manchester Metals closed.

03/24/2026

Wonderful picture of early 20th century American opera singer and actress known as the WABASH COUNTY PRIMA DONNA none other than GRACE (QUIVEY) VAN STUDDIFORD (1873-1927). Born in North Manchester, the daughter of Robert and Jane Quivey. Robert was he owner of a general merchandise sore in North Manchester. She was one of five children born to the couple. She made her first appearance on the stage in Chicago. Married Charles Van Studdiford member of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in St. Louis in 1897. In 1899 she toured with Jefferson De Angelis in "The Jolly Musketeer." In 1900, Grace appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House in "Carmen," "Faust", "Esmerelda," "Il Trovatore". In 1903 she opened "Maid Marian" and later debuted in "The Red Feather" especially written and produced for her by Flo Ziegfeld. She had the title role in "Lady Teazle" which she performed in popular music halls throughout the country. In 1908 Grace was back on Broadway in "The Mimic World." In 1908 she and Charles Bradley partnered to form the Grace Studdiford Company producing "The Golden Butterfly” at New York's Broadway Theater. In 1909 she joined her sister, Mary Quivey, in writing a song published by the Jerome H. Remick & Co. called “Dearie Dear.” Mary composed the song and Grace wrote the words. That same year Grace was picked to be featured on a trading card distributed by the American To***co Company in their Actress Series. Her last recorded performance in opera was "A Trip to Chinatown" which she performed at military camps throughout the county during World War I. She never recorded for gramophone but made several motion pictures “The Land of Promise” (1917), “Something Different” (1920), “The Branded Woman” (1920), “Nobody” (1921) and “Pardon My French” (1921). She died in Fort Wayne January 29, 1927 and is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery in North Manchester.

03/23/2026

The Kaleidoscope Gallery welcomes our first artist of the year, Steve Olsen. When Steve retired in 2012, he pursued his interest in photography and began photographing businesses, landmarks, and events in the North Manchester area. Steve invites you to view his artwork along with the many other displays at the museum.

03/23/2026

A great idea for lovers of history and Wabash County! Take the challenge and explore the Legends & Landmarks History Hunt.

Created by Visit Wabash County

12/13/2025

A round of applause for the Manchester University students who presented their impressive project on Friday morning to our museum staff. Education majors designed engaging programming utilizing Center for History artifacts and exhibits for our summer camp, 2026, celebrating USA 250. They did a fantastic job and we admired their creative perspectives ❤️ Manchester University

12/13/2025

Your last chance to shop Market @ the Museum. Saturday, December 13, 11a-3p

12/06/2025