Saturday September 20 11-3 at the Andrews Homestead
Guided tour “Wampum to War Bonds” starts at 11:30 and at 1:30
If you haven’t seen the new Andrews you’re not going to want to miss it. Step through time on this immersive historic home tour, where each room reveals a different era in Meriden’s past—from the lives of Native peoples before European settlement to the transformation of the homefront in the post-World War II years. As you move from one space to the next, discover how women and children shaped and experienced daily life in each period, from early farming and industry to the rise of the silver trade and wartime sacrifice. Rooted in Meriden’s unique local history, the tour highlights everything from 18th-century hearthside chores to 20th-century life, offering a vivid, room-by-room journey through the evolving story of home and community. The guided tour, Wampum to War Bonds, starts promptly at 11:30 and 1:30. You are free to tour on your own when a guided tour is not in progress. Seats are reserved and limited in number to enable our visitors to see and hear easily. Click HERE to reserve your spot. The Homestead is NOT handicapped accessible and not air-conditioned. Should the temperature prove to be too hot we will notify registered guests both on this page and through Zeffy.
Thursday September 25 6:30-7:30
Monthly Lecture Series: Bienvenue a Meriden -The French-Canadian Experience
Welcome to another chapter in our ongoing lecture series about the immigrants whose rich diversity made Meriden! Between 1840 and 1870, nearly 1 million French speakers emigrated from Canada to the northeast United States and formed “Little Canada” communities, one of of which was Meriden. Join Martha Colaresi (née Benoît) as she explores the heritage, trials, tribulations and triumphs that shape the story of French Canadians crossing the border, finding their way to Meriden, and becoming Franco-American. Reserve your seat HERE.
Third Annual Cemetery Tours for Fall of 2025
Who’s Buried Where and Why Do We Care?
And we are back by popular demand with round three. This year’s tours will be on the dates and times listed below and run rain or shine. We are delighted to bring you four tours this October. You may reserve the series HERE or sign up for individual tours by clicking on the name below. All tours start promptly at 1:00 at the entrance to the cemetery and take approximately two hours. Our tours are refreshed every year so plan on meeting new “residents” even if you have been on a tour to a cemetery previously.
Oct 4 Connecticut School for Boys Ancient Burial Grounds near 435 Lewis Avenue
Oct 11 St Boniface 955 Old Colony Rd
Oct 18 St Stanislaus Ann Street
Oct 26 B’nai Abraham 113 Corrigan Avenue
While the cost is free, we would appreciate your donations. The suggested donation is $10 per tour and can be done on-line when your reserve your seat.
Hours at Our Main Location, 41 W. Main Street, downtown Meriden.
The Meriden Historical Society’s Museum and History Center, located at 41 West Main Street, is open to the public at the following posted times. Please call us (203-639-1913) when you arrive so we can greet you at the door.
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday By appointment
- Wednesday 10-3 Guided tour at 11:00
- Thursday
- 1st Thursday ( September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4) Closed
- 2nd Thursday (September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11) 12 – 6 Guided tour at 2
- 3rd Thursday (September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18) 1 – 7:30 Guided tour at 6
- 4th Thursday ( September 25, October 23) 2-6 By Appointment
- Friday By appointment
- Saturday We are open the following Saturdays 9/13, 9/27, 10/11, 10/25, 11/8, 11/22 10-3 Tours of exhibits are scheduled at the following times.
- Innovation & Industry begins at 11 on Saturday when open
- Polished Perspectives begins at 12:30 on Saturday when open.
- Sunday We are open every Sunday in October. 11-3. Guided tours at11:30 and 1:00 for fall exhibit.
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: Those who wish to tour with a guide at a time other than those scheduled at the Museum at 41 Main Street MUST call ahead and book a time in order for us to make sure we have a guide available for you.
Lecture Series: Join us on the 4th Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm for our regularly scheduled lecture series. No lecture
Andrews Homestead The newly interpreted Andrews Homestead will open on the following Sundays from 11-3, weather permitting, as the house is not air conditioned. Guided tours are available at 11:30 and 1:30. We will post here if the weather is too hot to open. September, 20, October 18, and November 15. Please preregister for tours HERE.
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 will open to the public for special programs and events in late spring 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 hours.
To set up a visit, please call our main office number: 203-639-1913.
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