You Are Invited to Christmas at the Manning House

For the first time, the public is invited to the exclusive holiday party of one of Manchester’s greatest philanthropists. As you enter through the large wooden doors of the Manning House you will be transported back to 1925. The smell of fresh pine and gingerbread will greet you as Mary Manning welcomes you in to enjoy a holiday celebration in her landmark home. Calvin Coolidge is president. The Jazz Age and the Art Deco movement are in full swing, and the Great Gatsby was just published. Guests will find out what Christmas in Manchester was like a century ago.

This limited timed-ticket engagement will run tours at the top of every hour from 1 – 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The 45-minute tours of the Manning House will be given by “Mary Manning” – played by living history interpreter, Kristy Ellsworth, from the Manchester Historic Association. The halls will be decked by Dew Collective and festive refreshments will be served following the tour. The event is handicap accessible from the ramp door next to the Brookside Thrift Shop. Proceeds go to the restoration and preservation of the Manning House.

Adult tickets are $30 and children 2-12 years old are $5. Visitors under 2 years old are free. Purchase your tickets here before they sell out.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Manchester Historic Association and Dew Collective to offer this special experience this holiday season,” said Dale Trombley, Moderator at Brookside Church. “Brookside Church is the caring steward of the 10-acre estate gifted by Mary Carpenter Manning to the church in 1957. The proceeds of this event help us to maintain and continue to restore the Manning House that is listed in NH Register of Historic Places.”

The Manning House was originally built in 1908 (Architect – E. A. P. Newcomb) in the Colonial Revival tradition. Hallmarks of the home include hand carved black walnut paneling and balustrade, three Italian marble fireplaces, hand-wrought brass and silver sconces, period furnishings, disappearing sliding doors, leaded glass Gothic-style windows, and a magnificent grandfather’s clock built in England especially for the house.

“The Manning House is an important historic site in Manchester, and we are pleased to be partnering with Brookside Church to bring the house and the story of the Manning family to life for this fun Christmas event.” said Jeff Barraclough, Executive Director of the Manchester Historic Association.

“Dew Collective is thrilled to beautify such a landmark site as The Manning House,” said Jennifer MacLaren, Founder and Curator, Dew Collective. “The holidays remain a quintessential time of year for us to showcase our decor and make memories for years to come by spreading Christmas cheer! We are excited to partner with a pillar in our community like Brookside Church and the Manchester Historic Association to bring the joy of the season to Manchester residents.”

About Manchester Historic Association
Founded in 1896, the Manchester Historic Association is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization with the mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Manchester, New Hampshire. The Association operates the Millyard Museum and the Research Center, both of which are open to the general public. The Association presents a variety of public programs including lectures, walking tours and concerts, and also school programs for all ages.

About Dew Collective
Dew Collective is a modern flower concept designing seasonal arrangements and special events with artistic flair and features a retail shop curated by Founder Jennifer MacLaren. The shop includes art, home decor, a daily flower “Dew Bar” for custom bouquets and plants. Dew Collective is based at 34 Hanover Street in Manchester NH with locations in Newburyport, MA and Kittery, ME.

About Brookside Congregational Church
Brookside Congregational Church, U.C.C. is a registered 501(c)3. The church has a wide ranging impact on the Greater Manchester community as it provides not only a place of worship for four different congregations, but also space for Pastoral Counseling Services and the International Institute of New England to serve their clients. Our mission is to respond to the need for food and clothing in our community and to help those in need attain self-sufficiency. Brookside is also a place where many local nonprofits and community organizations host educational programs ranging from gardening to community health. For more information visit: http://brooksidecc.info/