Manchester NH Heritage - History & Architecture

10/23/2026

City of Manchester Heritage Commission
Meeting Agenda and Public Hearing Notice
Meeting Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Meeting Time: 5:30 P.M.
Meeting Location: Walter Stiles Conference Room- City Hall

The official notice is posted on the City Events Calendar: https://www.manchesternh.gov/

Agenda

1. Chair calls the meeting to order and Roll Call:

2. Certified Local Government:
The Commission will discuss the Certified Local Government grant to place the Central High School on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Review grant process
- Timeline and steps forward

3. South Manchester Rail Trail
CMA Engineers representing the City of Manchester and NHDOT, are requesting a response for Resource Agency Coordination for the South Manchester Rail Trail Extension project. The
Commission should discuss any potential impacts to historic resources in the project scope, and submit a reply.

Additional Business:
1. Election of vacant Commission Officers and updated nominations
2. Discussion of the Preservation Alliance: 2026 Seven to Save
3. Additional discussion items at the Commissions discretion.

Adjournment: Without objection, the Chair gavels the meeting to a close

For any questions, requests, or comments please contact:
Manchester Heritage Commission
City of Manchester Planning and Community Development Department
One City Hall Plaza
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 624-6450
[email protected]

Image: Undated postcard of the Central Classical High School Building, Manchester, N.H.

10/21/2026

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance just announced this year's Seven to Save list of threatened historic New Hampshire properties worth saving. Link below to learn what makes them special (includes short videos).

"This year’s listees include civic landmarks, religious buildings, a historic bridge, a waterfront collection of maritime buildings, and an arts and culture center. Together, they reflect the range of historic resources threatened by deferred maintenance, insufficient funding, sea-level rise, and other challenges—and the potential for preservation to spark renewed community and economic vitality."

This year’s listees include civic landmarks, religious buildings, a historic bridge, a waterfront collection of maritime buildings, and an arts and culture center

10/20/2026

Update - See the comment by Bryce Kaw-uh for Ward 1 Alderman
Manchester’s Planning Board postponed a decision on a proposed 167-unit Pine Street development until December pending a zoning waiver request over onsite parking. More details in the New Hampshire Union Leader - link below.

Manchester’s Planning Board postponed a decision on a proposed 167-unit Pine Street development, pending a zoning waiver request over onsite parking.

10/06/2026

In regard to the housing project at 88 Pine Street, see the New Hampshire Union Leader article about the October 1 public hearing meeting of the Manchester Planning Board (link below).

"Having closed the public hearing, Planning Board members are expected to rule on the permit request during their Oct. 15 business meeting at City Hall."

Manchester Public Television on demand recording of the October 1 meeting: https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/manchestertv/video/6abf2909953f5a0002f878db?page=HOME

https://www.unionleader.com/news/local-news/parking-questions-raised-over-apartment-plans-for-site-near-valley-street-jail-3f925a38

Manchester planners will rule Oct. 15 on a 167-unit Pine Street apartment project, with concerns focused on a proposed reduction in required parking near the Va...

10/06/2026

In regard to the 99 Lowell Streeet project, see the New Hampshire Union Leader article about the October 1 public hearing meeting of the Manchester Planning Board (link below).

"Dozens turned out to speak during the public hearing on plans to build a 16-story mixed-use building that would alter the skyline in Manchester while adding nearly 200 new units to the city's housing stock." According to the article, "Planning Board members voted to keep the public hearing on the project open until their Nov. 5 meeting to allow developers to come back with additional information."

See our post of September 27 for a link to download the project application, and information on how to contact the Planning Board and your aldermen to comment.

Manchester Public Television on demand recording of the October 1 meeting: https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/manchestertv/video/6abf2909953f5a0002f878db?page=HOME

Manchester planners delayed a decision on a proposed 16-story, 196-unit downtown tower as residents and church leaders raised concerns about parking, shadows an...

09/29/2026

Item of note: Project to convert a commercial property including a c.1900 brick warehouse/factory building into housing. The property is located on the southwest corner of Pine and Valley streets. It formerly housed operations of Kalwall Corporation.

A matter regarding parking is on the agenda for this Thursday's Planning Board meeting:

MANCHESTER PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, October 1, 2026 – 6:00 PM
City Hall, Third Floor – Aldermanic Chambers

Agenda Item 9.
CU2026-010
Property located at 88 Pine Street (Tax Map 112, Lot 5), a conditional use permit application for a reduction in onsite parking associated with the redevelopment of an existing commercial property that will result in the construction of a four-story mid-rise building with approximately 8,290 SF of ground-floor commercial space and 167 dwelling units, where 181 parking spaces are required and 172 parking spaces are proposed, located in the DT-1 Zoning District. Joseph M. Wichert, L.L.S., Inc., for Valley Pine Corporation (Owner), and Commonwealth Collective, LLC.

It is expected that the developer will be applying for zoning relief at a later date from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. More details in the New Hampshire Union Leader: https://www.unionleader.com/news/local-news/developer-plans-167-apartments-for-site-near-valley-street-jail-5102a00f
Download the application:https://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/pcd/BoardsCommissions/PlanningBoard/Project%20Applications/2026-10-01_CU2026-010_88_PINE_STREET.PDF

Image: Rendering of the proposed housing project at 88 Pine Street from the project application.

09/28/2026

Please see the previous post. The 99 Lowell Street/Hartnett Parking Lot project is on the agenda for this week's Planning Board Public Hearing.

MANCHESTER PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, October 1, 2026 – 6:00 PM
City Hall, Third Floor – Aldermanic Chambers

AGENDA ITEM 7.:
SP2026-019
Property located at 99 Lowell Street (Tax Map 10, Lot 6), a site plan application for the redevelopment of the existing municipal parking lot to a mixed use 16-story building with 196 residential units and up to 7,325 sf of commercial space on the first level, and a 330 space, 3-story parking garage, located in the DT-2 Zoning District. Fuss and O’Neil for the City of Manchester.

If you are interested in commenting on the project, which would permanently alter the nature of the Victory Park Historic District neighborhood, you may speak at that meeting and/or comment in writing to the Planning Board via e-mail at [email protected]. You may also want to contact your aldermen https://www.manchesternh.gov/Government/Mayor-and-Aldermen/Aldermen
To download the project application:https://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/pcd/BoardsCommissions/PlanningBoard/Project%20Applications/2026-10-01_SP2026-019_99_LOWELL_STREET.PDF
Information on the Victory Park Historic District: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Park_Historic_District
Image: A satellite view of the development site from the project application.

09/26/2026

The New Hampshire Union Leader editors weigh in:
"A bad fit for Hartnett: Why deface this space?"
https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/a-bad-fit-for-hartnett-why-deface-this-space/article_54e317f3-3870-4837-bebb-fd596c76ac67.html

09/26/2026

Update on the rehab and repurposing of the former Goodwin Funeral Home at 607 Chestnut Street

The building has been renovated and it has a new mission as the home of the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County https://www.facebook.com/CACofHC part of the Granite State Children's Alliance https://www.facebook.com/GSCANH/

This grand Tudor-Revival style mansion at 607 Chestnut Street was built c1874 by Elisha Tubbs, a chemist who was involved in the manufacture and sale of a popular patent medicine, Ring's Ambrosia. It is unclear how long Mr. Tubbs lived here (though it was likely a short period of time). It was the home of Herman F. Straw, the Agent of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company from 1885 to 1919. After he died in 1929 the building was purchased by Elmer Goodwin and converted into the Goodwin Funeral Home which served the community for many years.

New Hampshire Union Leader article about the grand opening on September 10:

City and state leaders gathered in Manchester last week to celebrate the opening of a new child advocacy center for Hillsborough County on Chestnut Street.

09/24/2026

An update on the renovation of Dunlap Building

The Dunlap Building at 967 Elm Street was constructed in 1879 as one of Manchester's first large commercial building. It was originally four stories tall, the fifth floor being added in 1908. The building is recognized for its historical and architectural significance by being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
More details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunlap_Building
The National Register application: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/04000587_text

https://manchester.inklink.news/watch-a-look-inside-the-renovated-dunlap-building/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUigddleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXlud1lmM1hzTFhFT3NldXJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEelWFhjYWTESLrF0p2TseEn_eZbPdkr5HbHvFK92SFNuyE5exJ6rCu1j-3kLk_aem_jRYPK0IMo8uYWV9VVbF3xg

A $10 million renovation effort is coming to an end and it has transformed one of Manchester’s most historic buildings from what had become an emptied commercial office space into a new set of downtown apartments.