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Registration opens:
February 23rd, 2026

NJ Hidden Gems

Hidden Histories
2026-03-09 11:00:00 2026-03-09 12:00:00 America/New_York NJ Hidden Gems Explore New Jersey's forgotten villages, mysterious places where history still lingers in the present. Manchester Branch - Manchester Meeting Room

Monday, March 09
11:00am - 12:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-03-09 11:00:00 2026-03-09 12:00:00 America/New_York NJ Hidden Gems Explore New Jersey's forgotten villages, mysterious places where history still lingers in the present. Manchester Branch - Manchester Meeting Room

Manchester Branch

Manchester Meeting Room

Explore New Jersey's forgotten villages, mysterious places where history still lingers in the present.

Step off the beaten path and explore New Jersey’s hidden histories. From Batsto Village to Smithville and other "forgotten" communities and places, discover the stories behind these unique areas that feel suspended in time. Learn how these liminal spaces, where past and present meet, offer a fascinating glimpse into the Garden State’s cultural heritage.

AGE GROUP: | Seniors | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Lectures & Discussion | General |

TAGS: | EducationOCL |

Manchester Branch
Phone: (732) 657-7600
Hours
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Mon, Feb 02 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Feb 03 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Feb 04 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Feb 05 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Feb 06 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Feb 07 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Feb 08 Closed
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Upcoming Events

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Robot Read & Play
Sat, Feb 07, 10:00am - 10:45am
Ages 2-5. A short storytime for beginning listeners, followed by a craft or activity and open playtime in our children's department. Registration is required.
This event is full
Build & Play- Toddler
Tue, Feb 10, 9:30am - 10:15am
Ages 0-3. Calling all future engineers, architects, and sculptors! Join us for playtime with modeling compound and building toys.  Registration is required.
This event is full
Build & Play- Preschool
Tue, Feb 10, 10:30am - 11:15am
Ages 2-6. Calling all future engineers, architects, and sculptors! Join us for playtime with modeling compound and building toys. Registration is required.
This event is full
Writers Group
Tue, Feb 10, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Bring your poetry, essays, and short stories. The Writers Group critiques each others' work and provides feedback.
Our Revolution - Presented by Living Voices
Wed, Feb 11, 10:00am - 11:00am
Manchester Meeting Room
Experience the Revolutionary War through this powerful, one-man play that blends professional performance with deep, historical insight bringing the history of our country alive!
Valentine Hydraulics
Wed, Feb 11, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Ages 6-12. Create a Valentines box that opens using the power of hydraulics! Registration is required.
This event is full
Adult with Special Challenges Craft - Create a Heart Themed Craft
Thu, Feb 12, 10:00am - 11:00am
Manchester Meeting Room
Create a Heart Themed Craft
Hooked On Yarn: A Knitting and Crocheting Group
Thu, Feb 12, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Manchester Study room
Love to knit or crochet, come to our meeting room and join others with the same passion. Bring your yarn, needles, hooks and current projects.
Tween & Teen Chess & Checkers Club
Thu, Feb 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Tweens will learn to play and practice chess & checkers with one another. Ages 8 - 18. Registration is required. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each of their ages.
Read & Play: Flying Free
Fri, Feb 13, 10:00am - 10:45am
Ages 2-5. A short storytime for beginning listeners, followed by a craft or activity and open playtime in our children's department. Registration is required.
This event is full
Black History Month Trivia
Sat, Feb 14, 10:00am - 11:00am
Tweens & teens will have the opportunity to play a trivia game centered around Black History Month. Ages 10 - 16. Registration is required. Please add siblings attending as guests and list their ages.
The Forgotten Presidents-Part II
Tue, Feb 17, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Did you know one of our early U.S Presidents had Dutch ancestry and another a grandson of a President who then became President himself? Come learn more about some of our lesser known Presidents.
Therapy Dog Relaxation Hour
Tue, Feb 17, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Teens will meet, read to, and relax with a therapy dog. Ages 10 - 16. Registration is required. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each tween/teen attending with their age.
Lunar New Year Craft: Year of the Horse
Tue, Feb 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Family Program. Create a fun horse craft to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Register for a reminder, drop-ins welcome while supplies last. 
Winter Wonderland Dance Party with Kohesion Dance
Wed, Feb 18, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages 2-6. Join the Kohesion Dance Studio at the Manchester Library for a fun morning of dance and movement. Registration is required.
This event is full
SNIFFING - The Incredible Power of a Dog's Nose - Explore the amazing power of a dog's scent work in action.
Wed, Feb 18, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Learn how scent work is used in search and rescue, police work, TSA, military, cancer detection, service dogs, and more.
Harriet (2019) PG-13 125 minutes - In Honor of Black History Month
Thu, Feb 19, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Celebrate Black History Month with a special screening of Harriet (2019), the powerful story of Harriet Tubman's courageous journey to freedom and her role as one of America's greatest heroes.
Homeschool Hangout: Book Cafe
Fri, Feb 20, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages 5-12. Hang out with other homeschool families and share a book you've read recently. We will also have book talks and do an activity. Registration Required.
Teen & Tween Gaming
Mon, Feb 23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teens & tweens, ages 10 - 16, will play video games on the Nintendo Switch. Registration is required. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each tween/teen attending with their age.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB)
Mon, Feb 23, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Gain valuable leadership skills and earn community service hours through our Teen Advisory Board (TAB). Ages 13 - 18.
Your Vision, Your Vibe - Create Your Own Vision Board
Tue, Feb 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Get creative and have some fun making your own vision board! We'll bring the supplies-you bring the vibes. No experience needed, just your imagination! Supplies are limited, please register.
Art Exhibit: Regional Day School - On display from February 25 to March 30
Wed, Feb 25, All day
Mixed media artwork by students of Regional Day School will be on exhibit.
Health Fair at the Library! - Heart Health Screenings with Deborah Heart and Lung Center
Wed, Feb 25, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Discover your numbers and take the first step toward a healthier you with free screenings by Deborah Heart and Lung Center.
Gymnastics STEAM Craft
Wed, Feb 25, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Ages 6-12. Create a set of parallel bars and a mini gymnast that can spin around them and take home a gold medal! Registration is required.
Playdate- Toddler
Thu, Feb 26, 9:30am - 10:15am
Ages 0-3. Open playtime in our meeting room. Babies not yet walking and their caregivers are welcome to join us in the "baby corner" to play and talk with other caregivers. Registration Required.
Playdate- Preschool
Thu, Feb 26, 10:30am - 11:15am
Ages 2-6. Open playtime in our meeting room. Registration Required.
Hooked On Yarn: A Knitting and Crocheting Group
Thu, Feb 26, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room B
Love to knit or crochet, come to our meeting room and join others with the same passion. Bring your yarn, needles, hooks and current projects.
Health and Wellness Through Creativity
Thu, Feb 26, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room A
Health and Wellness Through Creativity. Adult Program. Please register.
Registration opens Thursday, February 12 2026 at 9:00am
Microscope Mystery
Sat, Feb 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages 5-12. Try out our microscope at the Manchester branch. Look through the lens and guess what you see. Drop by anytime between 2pm and 4pm. Register for a reminder, drop-ins welcome.
Registration opens Saturday, February 7 2026 at 9:00am
Cookie Scavenger Hunt
Mon, Mar 02, All day
Family Program. For the month of March, search the department to find all of the images on the check-off sheet.  When you do, turn your sheet in at the desk for a sticker. 
Manchester Daytime Book Discussion
Tue, Mar 03, 10:15am - 11:30am
Book Title: "The Escape Artist" by Jonathan Freedland
Storytime with the Whiting Elementary School Principal
Tue, Mar 03, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Family Program. Join your Whiting Elementary School principal, Ms. Swift, for a fun storytime and craft! Registration required.
Registration opens Tuesday, February 10 2026 at 9:00am
Paint & Play- Toddler
Wed, Mar 04, 9:30am - 10:15am
Ages 0-3. Join us for messy play and leave the cleanup to us! Playtime with toys, painting, and coloring. Registration is required.
Registration opens Wednesday, February 11 2026 at 9:00am
Paint & Play- Preschool
Wed, Mar 04, 10:30am - 11:15am
Ages 2-5. Join us for messy play and leave the cleanup to us! Playtime with toys, painting, and coloring. Dressing for a mess is encouraged. Registration is required.
Registration opens Wednesday, February 11 2026 at 9:00am
Shore Memory Cafe - Shore Memory Cafe
Thu, Mar 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
Early-Stage Memory Cafés provide opportunities for concerned persons experiencing early cognitive decline, and for those diagnosed with early-stage memory loss, and their care partner(s) to meet.
Book Lovers Book Cafe
Thu, Mar 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Book Lovers Book Cafe. Adult Program. Please register.
LEGO® Club
Thu, Mar 05, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages 6-12. Come to the Manchester Library to build something amazing with our Legos! Registration is required.
Registration opens Thursday, February 12 2026 at 9:00am
Local Children's Author Fair
Sat, Mar 07, 10:00am - 11:00am
Family program. Local children's authors will be visiting the Manchester Library to share their books. Register for a reminder, drop-ins welcome.
Registration opens Saturday, February 14 2026 at 9:00am
NJ Hidden Gems - Hidden Histories
Mon, Mar 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Explore New Jersey's forgotten villages, mysterious places where history still lingers in the present.
Registration opens Monday, February 23 2026 at 9:00am
Manchester Twp Emergency Services: First Aid & CPR overview
Mon, Mar 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Manchester Township Emergency Services will be on site to discuss basic first aid such as bleeding control and the township lock box program. A CPR demonstration will also be included.
Registration opens Monday, February 23 2026 at 9:00am
Art Reception - Regional Day School
Mon, Mar 09, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Meet and greet local artist.
See all events