“A country newspaper… should not seek to create and control public opinion, but to furnish the means by which public opinion may find utterance.”
With those ambitious words, publisher Charles A. Pierce launched The Manchester Journal in May 1861, just weeks after the outbreak of the Civil War. Over 165 years later, the paper remains a weekly snapshot of life in the Northshire and beyond. Join us for a fascinating journey through the history of this local institution, from its beginnings as a Union war-effort booster to its role as the town’s chronicler of everyday life.
About the Fall Festival 2026
Each year, our Fall Festival celebrates National Arts and Humanities Month in October and reminds Vermonters of the impact and breadth of the humanities. This year’s Fall Festival 2026: Our Woven History recognizes the stories contained in our Vermont Reads 2026 book, Charity & Sylvia by Tillie Walden, while also commemorating the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.
Please contact us at info@vermonthumanities.org for information on disability services. To request a specific accommodation, contact us at least three weeks prior to the event. Vermont Humanities strives to provide accommodations whenever possible. All event locations are ADA accessible.
