The Erie Canal briefly passes through the northeastern part of Manchester in the hamlet of Port Gibson. The town is often lumped with Palmyra, as both towns are richly associated with the history of the Mormon Church. It’s in Manchester where the prophet Joseph Smith is said to have discovered the sacred Golden Plates, the source from which he translated the Book of Mormon. Manchester also once was a big railroad town as an important division point for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Clifton Springs gained fame years ago for its sanitarium and hot springs, which were said to have health benefits.

Local Museums/Landmarks
A marker notes where the prophet Joseph Smith is said to have discovered Golden Plates which were essential to the organization of the Mormon Church. The Manchester and Palmyra areas are rich with Mormon history, and the annual Hill Cumorah Pageant attracts thousands of guests. The Oliver Warner Farmstead in Clifton Springs is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Foster Cottage in Clifton Springs was built in 1854. Port Gibson, a hamlet in the northern part of town, is on the Erie Canal, and the Port Gibson United Methodist Church is listed on the national register.