McManus to share 'Dover: Stories of Our Past' at the Public Library

posted on 4/20/2023

For years, Anthony McManus served as a Trustee for the Woodman Museum. Despite all of his time being around the history of Dover, he never really had a chance to explore it until 2018. That was the year he was approached by a friend at Foster’s Daily Democrat who asked if he would be interested in writing a column for the newspaper focused on the yesteryears of the city.

On Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m., McManus will share some of these tales in “Dover: Stories of Our Past” at the Dover Public Library. The event will take place in person, with an option to watch virtually from home. Those wishing to view online will need to sign up through the library’s website to access a link to the program.

McManus’s column, titled “Historically Speaking,” continues to this day. In honor of the 400th anniversary of Dover, a collection of three years’ worth of his articles was published as a book. The book, which has the same title as the presentation, will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

McManus’s column chronicles the day-to-day life, events, and families that shaped the Dover community. Much of his research was done by exploring Pine Hill Cemetery and exploring the shelves of the Dover Public Library’s Historical Room.

McManus is a native of Dover, attending St. Mary Academy and Dover High School. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and received a degree from Boston College law before becoming a public defender in Boston. In 1966, he returned to Dover, eventually opening up his own office. From 1967 to 1973, he served as Dover’s City Attorney.

He has long been involved in the government and community life of Dover including as a member of the city’s Planning Board, Parking Commission, and City Council, and serving on the board of Dover Main Street. Throughout the 1970s, he served in the NH House of Representatives. He continued to practice law until 2001 when he was named Executive Secretary of the NH Judicial Conduct Committee, a position he held until 2008. This program is free and open to the public.

For more information or to sign up to watch online, visit the library’s website at library.dover.nh.gov or call 603-516-6050.