Recognizing that many soldiers, sailors and airmen, among others, would be demobilized and in need of retraining for civilian life, two State Trade Schools were developed.

[1][2] In the early 1980s, the school had a highly visible solar building facing Interstate 293.

The New Hampshire legislature passed a law enabling the Board to increase the number of colleges from four to seven, "uncoupling" campuses that had been administratively merged prior to 2005.

Its facilities include the Center for Academic Planning and Support, Library, instructional labs, an auditorium, a cafeteria, and a full-service Early Childhood Education Lab School.

Located on 57 acres (23 ha) near the banks of the Merrimack River north of the city center, the Manchester campus offers classes and programs in three major connected buildings, and has ample room for future growth while retaining more than adequate green space and parking.