Culinary Crossroads

Join us on Thursday November 21st at 6:30 at 41 Main Street, as Paul Freedman from Yale University highlights how diverse traditions, flavors and culinary customs serve as a window into local communities.  Obviously, since we can’t survive without it, food matters in a fundamental, biological way.  But food also is important as a cultural sign, both for good (curiosity about what other people eat) and for ill (as a symbol of despised otherness).   People plan their trips on the basis of food cultures they want to experience.  On the other hand, there is a long history of stereotyping food preferences as a way of showing contempt for nations and ethnicities, even hatred.  Food is part of our identity and forms a key aspect of memory. For many people it has religious significance and rules govern what foods must be avoided.   We will discuss these and other aspects of the cultural symbolism and significance of food, both historically and in the contemporary world.  This night will kick off our 2024 community cookbook project as well so bring your favorite recipe and the story behind it. Register HERE or call the office at 203-639-1913

Adult Education Series: Meriden Past to Present Part II with Justin Piccirillo


Nov 19 Meriden and Sibling Rivalry Register HERE or at the door.

Gingerbread House Workshop is back!

Join Carol Murdock, award winning baker as seen on the Food Channel, to create your very own gingerbread house.  Chef Murdock studied in Germany and her gingerbread houses have included  those at the Wadsworth Atheneum and the State House.  All materials to create your gingerbread house will be provided.  The cost is $30.00 per house. Please be sure to add a second person (no cost) if you are assembling and decorating your house with another person.  You must preregister either HERE or by calling the office and sending in your check. Registration ensures that we have enough materials for all. At the Andrews Homestead on Saturday December 14th from 1-4.

Office Hours at Our Main Location, 41 W. Main Street, downtown Meriden.

We are open to the public during the fall from September 3 through December 20 at our Museum and History Center at 41 West Main Street at the following times. When you arrive please call 203-639-1913 to let us know you are here so we can greet you at the door.

Tuesday By appointment only. (203-639-1913)

Wednesday 9:00-12:00 no appointment needed.

Thursday 12:00 – 8:00 on the 3rd Thursday of the month. 12:00 – 6:00 on 2nd and 4th. Closed first Thursday, Nov 7 and Dec 7. No appointment needed. We will close at 3:00 PM on Thursday October 24th.

Friday 9:00 – 2:00 by appointment only (203-639-1913)

Saturday 9:00-3:00 Nov 23. No appointment needed. There will be no Saturday hours at 41 W Main during October as we have cemetary tours on Saturdays.

Research: We are open to researchers at our Museum & History Center, 41 West Main Street, during our regular office hours (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays) by appointment only. To schedule your research visit, please call at least 24 hours in advance. 203-639-1913.

Tours: The Doll Exhibit at the Andrews is a self guided tour and is open Sunday October 26th from11-3 for the last time before the exhibit closes. Those who wish to tour the Museum at 41 Main Street should call ahead and book a time if your group is more than 6.

Lecture Series: Join us on the 4th Thursday of the month for our regularly scheduled lecture series at 6:30 pm. No lecture in December.

Andrews Homestead We will be hosting many activities at the Homestead this fall.

On Saturday November 2nd, join us as Debbie Forchielli leads a workshop on making stunning holiday wreaths at the Andrews Homestead at 10 AM.   Registration is now open. Click HERE. Registration closes October 27th so we have time to purchase the materials.

On Saturday, December 14th we will host the return of the gingerbread house workshop. This one sold out last year so be sure to register early. This will require pre registration which will open in late October.

Supported by its volunteers, the Meriden Historical Society operates at two locations

The Meriden Historical Society’s Museum & History Center is our main office and research center. Located at 41 West Main Street, in the heart of Downtown Meriden. This historic building’s size and central location allows us to expand our public programs, exhibit more of our collections, welcome more researchers and visitors, and better tell the story of our community! To read more details about this location click HERE . To schedule a visit to our History Center, please call 203-639-1913.

The Andrews Homestead, 424 West Main Street, is one of the oldest homes in Meriden.  The all new Andrews is open to the public for special programs and events this fall and by appointment. Young and old (and in-between) are welcome! 

We share a parking lot with the Benjamin Franklin elementary school. You may enter the parking lot through the do-not-enter entrance as long as it is not during school opening or dismissal time.

To set up a visit, please call our main office number: 203-639-1913.

*************

We’d like to thank the CUNO Foundation, the Meriden Foundation, the Napier Foundation, the State Historic Preservation Office, and CT Humanities for their support.