Downtown in Manchester in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
Picker House
| | Black Heritage Trail NH | |
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, July 30, 2026
1. Picker House Marker
From the mid-1800s through the early 1900s, workers at the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company processed raw cotton in a three-story picker house originally at this site. Most of the cotton used to produce cloth here was grown on southern plantations by enslaved men, women, and children under brutal conditions. After slavery was abolished, sharecroppers, tenant farmers, and convict laborers continued to supply cotton. As early as 1859, Amoskeag records show the company purchased an average of 5,000 bales per week from southern ports. From the ports of Boston and Portsmouth, cotton went by rail to this mill complex. Here in the picker house, workers cleaned and combed the cotton fibers before spinning. Manchester became the world's largest cotton textile center by 1911. Labor and trade made it possible for the mills to thrive. The labor of enslaved and formerly enslaved workers of African descent sustained the wealth and prosperity of industrialists and local cotton brokers for generations.
Erected by Black Heritage Trail NH.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans •
this page online
Location. 42° 59.358′ N, 71° 28.075′ W. Marker is in Manchester, New Hampshire, in Hillsborough County. It is in Downtown. It is on Bedford Street north of Pleasant Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Bedford Street, Manchester NH 03101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Mill Girl (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ralph Baer (approx. 0.2 miles away); The New England Gold Star Mothers Statue (approx. Ό mile away); Brigadier General John Stark (approx. Ό mile away); Manchester's First Green Roof (approx. Ό mile away); City Hall (approx. Ό mile away); Battlefield Crosses (approx. Ό mile away); Manchester NH World War II Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, July 30, 2026
2. Picker House Markeron Millyard Mueum Wall
(Above striped pavement)
More about this marker. The marker is located to the left of the Bedford Street door. There is a parking lot just in front of the markers location. However, the actual entry door for the museum is on Commercial Street.
Additional keywords. enslaved labor
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
