Manchester, New Hampshire (pop. 115,644; met. area pop. 422,937), is the largest city and chief manufacturing and financial center of the state. Manchester lies along the banks of the Merrimack River in south-central New Hampshire. The Uncanoonuc Mountains curve around the western part of the city.
More than 10 percent of the people of Manchester are foreign-born. Over 10 percent of the population are of French-Canadian ancestry.
The city is the home of the Institute of Art and Design at New England College, the Currier Museum of Art, and the Manchester City Library. Southern New Hampshire University, St. Anselm College, and a campus of the University of New Hampshire are also in the city (see New Hampshire, University of ). The home of General John Stark, a figure of the American Revolution (1775-1783), is in the city.
Manchester was once known as the home of the largest cotton mills in the world—the Amoskeag Mills. The mills failed in the 1930’s. Today, the city’s chief products include electronic components, boots and shoes, and cotton and woolen goods. It is an insurance center and distributing point. The city is served by Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, several bus lines, and a freight railroad.
Manchester’s first white settlement was started in 1722. Manchester was first called Harrytown, and then Derryfield. It received its present name in 1810. Manchester became a city in 1846. It has a mayor-council form of government.
