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MANCHAUG 200TH CELEBRATION

Saturday, September 26, 2026
​3 pm - 6 pm

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE 200 YEARS OF MANCHAUG MILLS AND MANCHAUG VILLAGE
Event open to members and the general public of all ages. 
​Light refreshments will be served.  
Bring your memorabilia, including photos of Village views and events, for sharing. 
Scanning of photos will be available onsite. 
In 1826, Providence merchants, Jonathan Congdon, Samuel Congdon, and Randall H. Greene, 
recognizing the potential of the Mumford River with its
“great and rapid fall”
of eighty-three feet in less than one-quarter of a mile
for development of manufacturing,
purchased and cleared land adjacent to the Mumford River from Aaron Elliot and Simeon Morse in 1826,
and another tract from Morse in 1840, assembling the acreage upon which Manchaug Village was developed.
This cotton-manufacturing industry continued until 1922.

​Fires, floods, and bankruptcy, shaped the Village which remains today.

Come reminisce about Manchaug during your lifetime.  Help us record Manchaug's Story for future generations. 

Unable to attend.  Click the Manchaug Memories Questionnaire below to share your memories. 
Memories can be emailed to [email protected]
or mailed to Sutton Historical Society, Inc, 4 Uxbridge Road, Sutton, MA  01590
AMAZING INTERNET FIND!!
The below photos of Manchaug were recently 
"stumbled upon" during an internet search.
Some great images circa 1970s!!!
PHOTO CREDIT:
Industrial Archaeology Image Archive © 2026 by Michigan Technological University Department of Social Sciences
Licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 

Department of Social Sciences 
Michigan Technological University 
1400 Townsend Drive 
Houghton, Michigan, 49931 

Calendar of Events

All events open to both Society members and the general public.
Updated event information will be posted here,  on Facebook,  and emailed to members
Upcoming meetings/events are listed in the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, The Uxbridge Times, and the Blackstone Valley Xpress.
September 26         3:00 pm -           Manchaug 200th Celebration                                                                                Manchaug Mills
Saturday                 6:00 pm             Join us as we commemorate 200 years of Manchaug Mills                                 6 Whitins Road Entrance
                                                              and Manchaug Village history.  Bring your memorabilia to share.                     Suite 2B-1
                                                              Did you live, work, visit, camp in Manchaug.  We want your stories! 
                                                              Photos can be scanned and preserved during event.          
                                                                                                                                                                                               
October 8                 7:00 pm            Annual Meeting                                                                                                          First Congregational Church
Thursday                                           Officer Election                                                                                                              307 Boston Road
 
October 17-18         10:00 am-         Waters Farm Days                                                                                                      53 Waters Road
Saturday/Sunday    4:00 pm          Visit the Darling Barn to learn the history of the Barn,
                                                              the genealogy of the Waters and Darling families, and view the
                                                              exhibit of items “found in the ground" by Ed Chrostowksi, our
                                                              own metal detecting aficionado, and play “Guess the Artifact.”
 
October 24               4:00 pm-           Halloween – Oh My Gourd                                                                                     TBD
Saturday                  7:00 pm            TBD                                                      
                                                     
 
November 16             7:00 pm           History is Literally and Figuratively a Work in Process                                First Congregational Church
Monday                                               Richie Kohler – Former Deep Sea Detective Co-Host                                     307 Boston Road
                                                               Technical Wreck Diver and Shipwreck Historian                                                 
                                                                             
                                                                                         
December 1             6:30 pm             Christmas Potluck                                                                                                   First Congregational Church
Tuesday                                                                                                                                                                                     307 Boston Road
 
December 5             Various               Chain of Lights                                                                                                         Eight Lots School House
Saturday                                              Annual Town-wide Christmas Event                                                                      General Rufus Putnam Museum
                                                                                                                                                                                                     M. M. Sherman Blacksmith Shop
 
                                                                                                                       
December 31           Midnight            Last Night Cannon Firing                                                                                      M. M. Sherman Blacksmith Shop
Thursday                                             Cannon Club                                                                                                                6 Singletary Avenue                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

2026 Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations!
Julia Hemingway & Grace Kozaczka

1920 Manchaug Village Parade

In 1920, the Village of Manchaug, a company-owned town of approximately 1,600 residents of mostly French-Canadian descent, owned by the B. B. & R Knight Manufacturing Company producing muslin cloth under the Fruit of the Loom trademark, had a large parade.

The following photos are from an incomplete postcard series obtained from a variety of sources.
Each photo has a small number in the bottom corner.
The parade appears to be in celebration of the 4th of July.
Several floats are hosted by a mill department, ie Machine Shop and Weaving.

The Society is interested in obtaining copies of any of the missing postcards from the series, photos of the event, newspaper clippings, or diary accounts of the event.
Reach us at [email protected] or through the above contact page
Identification of any individuals in the photos would be appreciated

update

Parade Date Identified

Click on the button above
to read the Woonsocket Call from July 6, 1920. 
The article gives extensive details of the events in Manchaug on
 July 5,1920 for the Fourth of July
which included a 5:00 am Horribles Parade, a 9:30 am parade, field day events, baseball games, and dancing and refreshments in the Tucker Grove from 2 pm - 8 pm.

Parade float winners, field event winners, organizers, and more are detailed in the article.

The Society is still seeking more photos or memorabilia from this event which was touted as the 
"Biggest Affair in the Town for 25 Years"
 Picture
Postcard 21 Location has been identified thanks to Marian King.  Marian and her father, Don King, resided at 5 Whitins Road which is the home pictured below of the fire department.  Don was a founding member of the Sutton Historical Society.  Thanks, Marian!!

RECENT HAPPENINGS

On Thursday, November 7, Sutton Historical Society members,
Peter Michelson and Ross Weaver,
​shared their knowledge of locating bounds from historic deeds and records and overlaying those points onto current maps. 

This process allows current landowners to visualize how their properties fit into the historic character of Sutton.  

The Freegrace Marble Farm was used to demonstrate this process. 
Located at the intersection of Sibley and Burbank Roads, this historic property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has a preservation restriction agreement with the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. 

This property was one of the first 30 parcels deeded when Sutton was settled.

Thank you, Jonathan Lane, for an outstanding presentation 
on Thursday, September 5, about the important events of 1774.
82 attendees

Photo courtesy of John Collins Photography

The Worcester Rebellion
September 6, 1774
​250th Anniversary

THANK YOU
​A Great Presentation!!

 Sutton's Hidden Treasures
Metal Detecting
​
Ed Chrostowski, Sutton Historical Society Member, shared his extensive metal detecting knowledge and amazing "Sutton Treasure" finds to a crowd of 50 people at the Sutton Senior Center on May 7, 2024.  

If you are interested in having him detect on your property, please reach out to us at [email protected]
Thank you to Christine Watkins 
for her presentation on the

April 16, 1924 Manchaug Fire

Thank you to Pam Nichols, Sutton Cable Access, for filming the presentation.
​
If you were unable to attend, watch below.

Thank you, MARK SAVOLIS
Thompson Historical Society, for an outstanding presentation on November 7, 2023 about the  Mass 15th and 36th Regiments of the Civil War and
​Sutton Solider - Wilder Holbrook

In 1861, just shy of 21 years of age, Wilder Holbrook, a Sutton farmer, mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.  He was wounded in the shoulder at the Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia.  Wilder was promoted several times serving in both the 15th Massachusetts and the 36th Massachusetts regiments.

Mr. Savolis shared his research on both the Massachusetts 15th and 36th sharing many Civil War artifacts with attendees.  Sutton Historical Society Museum Curator, Joyce Smith,  provided an introduction about Wilder, his family, his life prior to service, and after his return to Sutton.

This event was well-attended.

Senior Center Presentation

The Sutton Senior Center hosted Society Member and Eight Lots School House Caretaker, David Pizzi, on Wednesday, November 1, to their Lunch and Learn presentation series.  Dave's presentation focused on the Sutton Historical Society, it's holdings, mission and current projects.  The presentation was well-attended.  The Society hopes to collaborate with the Senior Center again in the future.  
Any suggestions for future presentations can be shared via the Contact page above.

CEMETERY TOUR
​Thank you!!!

Saturday, October 28, 2023
5 pm - 8 pm
Sutton Center Cemetery 
​4 Uxbridge Road
Our 3rd Annual Historic Cemetery tour as part of the community Oh My Gourd event 
was well-attended.  If anyone has any comments about this year's event or suggestions for next year, 
please reach out to us through the Contact page above.

Thanks to all of our amazing volunteers - interpreters, guides, set up and breakdown, and our greeters.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED

200th Anniversary Celebration
General Rufus Putnam Building
Saturday, September 30, 2023
4 Uxbridge Road, Sutton

The General Rufus Putnam Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Built as a joint effort between the Olive Branch Lodge of Master Masons and Sutton School District in 1823. 
The first lodge meeting was held on January 1, 1824.  The building cost $714.92.

"The hall in Sutton Centre became a bone of contention between the two owners - The Olive Branch of Master Masons and the Sutton School District - culminating in the sale of the Lodge's interest in January 1851."

Between 1851-1910, the building functioned partially as a school. 
In 1872 the upper floor became the High School and lower floor was used for grades 1-8. 
The first graduating High School class of 5 students was in 1876.

Daughters of American Revolution Lease
On December 15, 1909, a group of 21 eligible women formally organized the General Rufus Putnam Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.).
At town meeting, March 1910, the old school building in Sutton Center was leased to the Chapter for the
period of 10 years at the sum of $1 per year. 

In 1934, the growth of the town necessitated the use of the building as a school and the
​D.A.R. vacated the premises. 
The D.A.R. returned in 1954 and was responsible for setting up a wonderful display to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Town.

The Sutton Library was housed in this building from 1957 -1982.

The Sutton Historical Society has occupied the building since 1986. 
​Ownership of the building remains in the possession of the Town of Sutton.

Sutton 3rd Graders Tour Common
June 12, 2023

Sutton 3rd graders walked from the school to the Town Common on Monday, June 12.

The students toured the General Rufus Putnam Museum, The M. M. Sherman Blacksmith Shop, The First Congregational Church,
and the Town Hall.

Their visit included a picnic lunch on the Historic Common.

Thanks to Society members who provided the tours, the school department for arranging the event, and the Sutton Police Department for ensuring everyone safely travelled up the Common!!

Brown Bag Picnic Reunion
June 9, 2023

On Friday, June 9, 2023, the Society hosted alumni of the General Rufus Putnam School from the 1950s to a brown bag picnic and tour of the General Rufus Putnam Building, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

The attendees had a wonderful time reminiscing about their days at this little school.

A special thank you to the Seaver Family for their donation of two beautiful art pieces drawn by their sister, Gwen Marchese.
Thank you to David Tela for his donation of a display of items about John Henn's military service.

A big, special thanks to Museum Curator, Joyce Smith, for organizing this special event!!!

COPIED TO OTHER PAGES TO HERE

samuelslaterexperience.org
Thank you to the Samuel Slater Experience staff for hosting 
the Sutton Historical Society!!!

For those who missed it, the museum is open
Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-4
Sunday 12-4

Cemetery Tour - Enjoyed by over 100 visitors!!

Rescheduling and weather that did not cooperate did not hamper the spirits of the visitors who toured Sutton's oldest Cemetery on
Sunday, October 31. 
Interpreters shared their stories about some of those interred in this historically-significant cemetery.
The Society hopes to make this an annual event!!!
THANK YOU!!!

ROBERT ERNEST HUBBARD, Author
Presentation about General Rufus Putnam

Robert Ernest Hubbard, a retired professor and author from New Haven, Connecticut, recently presented his book
General Rufus Putnam, George Washington’s Chief Military Engineer and the “Father of Ohio.” 
to our Society.  It was a well-received presentation.

Go to israelputnam.org to order a copy of this book in addition to one about Israel Putnam.

Prior to his presentation, Robert and his wife, Kathy, discussed how to become an author with a group of home-schooled children.  This, too, was greatly appreciated.

Thank you to member, Malcolm Ketchum, for sharing his images of Sutton

*******************************************************************************

Annual Meeting Update
- Donation by Mike and Sheila Moss to the General Rufus Putnam
  Museum of a framed 1915 Boston Herald  photo spread of
  Purgatory Chasm prior to its being established as a State Park in      1919

- Election of 6 non-officer Board positions for a 2-year term

- Presentation of work completed on the Sutton Center Meeting 
  House and tour of the inside

- Update on status of Cemetery cleaning/repair at Sutton Center 
  and Dodge Cemetery.  Almost complete.  Committee will continue
  work in other town cemeteries. Thank you to the countless 
  volunteers.  This group is definitely "Quietly making noise!"
  Volunteers always needed. 

- Update on progress of organizing General Rufus Putnam
  Museum.  Grant received through the Massachusetts Board of
  Library Commissioners to help move forward with cataloguing
  and digitizing collection.  Thank you to Joyce Smith, Curator, and
  Betsy Perry, Sutton Librarian, for this great effort.

- Sutton Cultural Council grant received and utilized for the 
   creation and production of a brochure on Society holdings to
   be distributed at events.  Thank you to member, Dave Pizzi, for
   his efforts.

Cemetery Project Update - June 2020


​​During the period of higher COVID-19 restrictions, members of our Restoration Committee cut and burned a lot of brush and wood debris while maintaining the individual "social distancing" guidelines in this open area. 
Still more to do,  but the difference is very noticeable in the Sutton Center Cemetery.

More recently, some stones have been reset, including repaired stones, and others cleaned.  A few photos are below. 

As we have now reached the second round of re-openings, we are going to proceed with our original planned workdays at Sutton Center Cemetery on the second Saturday of each month.

Weather permitting, start day will be Saturday, June 13.  We will be on-site starting at 9:00 am

 Come with a mask or face shield.
PROGRESS PHOTOS - SUTTON CENTER CEMETERY (behind Town Hall)​

           BEFORE                                   AFTER

Image above is Elliot stone reset and cleaned.  GREAT JOB - Restoration Committee!!!  

1816 - The Year without a Summer

Our ancestors weathered crazy times before us. 
See a few events noted below

The year 1816 was known as ‘The Year Without a Summer’ in New England because six inches of snow fell in June and every month of the year had a hard frost. 

Temperatures dropped to as low as 40 degrees in July and August as far south as Connecticut. People also called it ‘Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death’ and the ‘Poverty Year.’

​The Year Without A Summer had a far-reaching impact. Crop failures caused hoarding and big price increases for agricultural commodities. People went hungry. Farmers gave up trying to make a living in New England and started heading west. Politicians who ignored the melancholy plight of their constituents found themselves out of office.

Flurries fell in Boston on June 7.  The snow was 18" deep in Cabot, VT, on June 8.  One June 11, a temperature of 30.5 degrees was recorded in Williamstown, MA.  Frozen birds dropped dead in the fields.  Some Vermont farmers who had already shorn their sheep tried to tie their fleeces back on, but many froze to death anyway.
​
Many people believe the Year Without a Summer was caused by a massive volcanic explosion on Mt. Tambora in Indonesia, killing 15,000 instantly. Soon after, another 65,000 perished of disease and starvation. The volcanic ash and debris thrown up into the stratosphere is thought to have blocked the sun and caused a gradual lowering of temperatures.

The Influenza Epidemic of 1918
​Sutton

Picture
The great Influenza Epidemic of 1918 appeared in the Blackstone Valley in September 1918.  It is believed that Patient 0 was a soldier from Company D  75th Infantry from Camp Devens, who came to Whitinsville to visit.  He died in Whitinsville on September 19, 1918.  By September 1918, Fort Devens had 9,000 dead, dying and sick. 
​
​Sutton's first death came on September 30, 1918.  The individual was employed by Whitin Machine Works.

Between September 30, 1918 and December 30, 1918, Sutton lost 19 of its approximately 2,800 residents, including the renowned Manchaug physician,
​Dr. Pierre Couilliard.
Picture

​

For more information about the
1918 Influenza Epidemic
Click on Image below
to view film
pbs.org
_________________________________________________________________________________

GRAVESTONE MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP
GREAT SUCCESS!!!
August 25, 2019


​Thanks to all who joined in the workshop on Sunday, August 25, 2019 and those restoring the Reverend Hall memorial crypt. 
Special thanks to Betty & Carlo Mencucci for sharing their vast knowledge, demonstrating proper methods and giving us opportunities to learn hands-on

Plans are in the works for a  workday in September at the Town Center Cemetery.  The exact day and time will be determined soon. 
The notice will be emailed to those who signed up at the previous event, will be passed out at the Labor Day breakfast, will be published in the
Millbury-Sutton Chronicle and posted on the Sutton Historical Society website and Facebook.

The focus that day will be on resetting the front or back leaning gravestones - which are the most prone to breaking - and honing the skills that Betty & Carlo have taught us.  Also, if your preference is to put your effort into cleaning of the gravestones and memorial stones, please join in.  And, if you have friends who have expressed interest in - or curiosity about  - restoration, please bring them along!

SPECIAL THANKS TO
Tiny Leaf Designs Photography, April Eaton Brown
for the amazing images below from the April 25 event!!!

***********************************************

Interior of General Rufus Putnam Museum

BEFORE                                                               DURING                                                          AFTER

Images from Museum Display
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