NOVEMBER PROGRAM:

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 6:30 p.m at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St. Meriden CT

FROM HULA HOOPS TO HIGH FASHION: REMEMBERING G. FOX & CO. IN THE 1950s

Come join us on a trip down memory lane with a foor-by-floor tour of Connecticut’s favorite department store. You will also hear the story of Beatrice Fox Auerbach, the woman who made every shopping experience a joy.

This program is free to the public and is given by the Connecticut Historical Society.

 

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE

Saturday, December 6^th, 2014 Main Street, South Meriden 2:00 – 5:30 pm

The Meriden Historical Society will take part in this year’s Christmas in the Village celebration. We’ll be giving out old fashioned candy sticks. The candy will sport the society’s label.

Peter Slavinski and Martha Colaresi could use your help giving out those candies.

To help in this project, please call Peter at 203-721-4640

 

 WE WELCOME 

Sara K. Porter of Meriden CT, Carol Govoni of North Woodstock, NH and Suzanne and Clifford Birdseye of Middlefield CT as new members of the Meriden Historical Society.

 

 SINCERE THANKS 

To Ruth Ann C.  Davis and to Carol Govoni, for their generous donation to the society. Carol’s donation was made in honor and appreciation of Dan DeLuca and his research on the Leatherman. Thanks go to the Sunshine Club of St Stanislaus Church for theit donation made in appreciation of Frank Pociadlo’s presentation. Special thanks to Marge Meyers for her donation of the Nurses’ Society Silverplate set and to Richard Hogan for his recent donation of two Manning Bowman coffee sets.

 

 

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

 

Nest Egg Auctions

http://nesteggauctions.com

30 Research Parkway, Meriden CT 06450

203-630-1400

The Record Journal

http://myrecordjournal.com/

11 Crown St, Meriden CT 06450

230-235-1661

 

AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD:

424 West Main Street, Meriden

Every Sunday in the month of October, from 11:00 am till 3:00 pm

MANNING BOWMAN – AN OVERVIEW

Peter Slavinski – president of the Meriden Historical Society, has put together an exhibit of this prominent Meriden manufacturing company. From its inception (Middletown CT 1832 – moved to Meriden in 1872), the Manning Bowman Manufacturing Company was geared towards the creation, manufacture, and sale of consumer products for the American home. Chafing dishes, toasters, waffle makers, coffee percolators, curling irons, clocks, cocktail shakers and more. These were well designed, well made products that found their way into the homes of the very wealthy as well as the more humble homes of middle class America.

Like other manufacturing companies in Meriden, Manning Bowman affected by the depression. In 1938 Manning Bowman was sold to the Fostoria Ohio based Bursted Manufacturing Co (later to become McGraw Edison Electric, better known as Toastmaster). The company closed its Meriden operations in 1941 and moved out of town.

As mentioned above, this special exhibit will be on display at the Andrews Homestead from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sundays through the month of October. Admission is free, donations are much appreciated.

 

OCTOBER PROGRAM:

PANIC IN CONNECTICUT; ACCUSED WITCHES HAVE THEIR SAY performed by Virginia Wolf.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 6:30 p.m at the Meriden Public Library

Between 1642 and 1693, at least 40 people in the colony of Connecticut were tried as witches, and at least 10 of them were hanged. Most of them were women.

Who were these women? How did they come to be accused of witchcraft? What was life like for them? Did they truly practice witchcraft? Who were their accusers, and why? How and why did the accusing of witches finally end…or has it?

Many records are lost or non-existent, but we can learn enough to begin to understand what life was like back then, and why witchcraft was such an all-encompassing subject.

“Travel” back to the 17th century and hear what 5 women accused of witchcraft had to say. Actress Virginia Wolf brings them to life, fully costumed, fully incensed, fully frightened.

Painstakingly researched, “Panic in Connecticut; Accused Witches Have Their Say” is a one woman show that sheds light on the Puritan society that condemned so-called witches to their death thirty years before the hysterics of Salem, MA.

(http://www.herstorytheater.com/panicinCT.htm)

This Program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library.

 

WE WELCOME

Lesley Carabetta to the Meriden Historical Society’s board of directors. Lesley was voted in to fill the position vacated by Diane Tobin upon the latter’s move out of town. Together with Lesley Solkoske, Lesley Carabetta will co-chair the Membership Committee, a position previously held by Diane Tobin.

 

SINCERE THANKS

to Diane Tobin, the author of An Abundance of Glass – The Meriden Flint Glass Company ,(http://www.meridenflintglass.com/) for her very generous donation of Meriden Flint Glass items from her collection. The items donated by Diane are now on display at the Andrew’s Homestead. The Homestead will be open to the public  from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sundays during the month of October.

 

 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

 Nest Egg Auctions

http://nesteggauctions.com

30 Research Parkway, Meriden CT 06450

203 – 630 – 1400

 

The Record Journal

http://myrecordjournal.com/

11 Crown St, Meriden CT 06450

230-235-1661

 

 

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

The following is the list of our planned programs for the year. Our sincere thanks to the Meriden Public Library for cosponsoring the programs.   Tuesday, September 9, 2014 6:30 p.m. at the Meriden Public Library THE HISTORY OF STEINS presented by Frank Pociadlo   Tuesday, October 14, 2014 6:30 p.m at the Meriden Public Library “PANIC IN CONNECTICUT; ACCUSED WITCHES HAVE THEIR SAY” performed by Virginia Wolf.   Wednesday, November 12, 2014 6:30 p.m. at the Meriden Public Library “FROM HULA HOOPS TO HIGH FASHION: REMEMBERING G. FOX & CO. IN THE 1950s”   Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 6:30 p.m at the Meriden Public Library IT HAPPENED IN CT presented by Mike Kachuba   Tuesday, April 14, 2015 6:30 p.m at the Meriden Public Library “RESCUE OF THE BOUNTY: DISASTER AND SURVIVAL IN SUPERSTORM SANDY” Presented by author Mike Tougias   Tuesday, May 12, 2015 6:30 p.m at the Meriden Public Library “SPEAKING ILL OF THE DEAD: JERKS IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY” Presented by Ray Bendici.   Thursday, May 14, 2015 6:30 p.m at our Bernice Morehouse Research Center (1050 Hanover, So. Meriden) ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, POT LUCK DINNER AND SOCIAL We look forward to seeing you. Our heartfelt thanks to Peter Slavinski, the president of the Meriden Historical Society and to Alexis Burgess of the Meriden Pulblic Library for setting up what promisses to be an exciting program for the year.  

UPCOMING SCHEDULE FOR OPEN HOUSE PROGRAMS AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD

Two month long exhibits will be on display at the Andrews Homestead this year: OCTOBER will feature the MANNING BOWMAN COMPANY and MAY will feature MERIDEN’S SILVER. In conjunction with those special exhibits, the Homestead will be open to the public on Sundays (October and May only) from 11:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. otherwise, the homestead is open by appointment only.  

A SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

Kathryn J. Cooke, a long time member of the Society, passed on in June of 2013. We recently received a generous donation from Kay’s estate.   WE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS: Rose Sperry of Meriden CT Sylvia Winslow of Meriden, CT Lorraine Hancock of Meriden CT Ron Wolcheski of Meriden, CT   SPECIAL THANKS TO Agnes Baur Henry J. Benoit Martha B. Colaresi The Estate of Katheryn J. Cooke Dr. Robert B. Hancock Greg D. Hugo Kathleen and Donald McMahon James and Betty Masterson Alice Meigs Joan M. Munger Margaret Myers Janet Pestey Andrew Piatek Ellen C. Sheehan Betty Wieland Susan Youngs FOR THEIR DONATIONS TO THE MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY  

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

 

Nest Egg Auctions

http://www.nesteggauctions.com/

30 Research Parkway, Meriden CT 06450

203 – 630 – 1400

800-448-0692

The Record Journal

http://myrecordjournal.com/

11 Crown St, Meriden CT 06450

230-235-1661

Sans Souci Restaurant

http://www.sanssoucirestaurant.com/

2003 North Broad Street

Meriden, CT 06450

203-639-1777

AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD:

424 West Main Street, Meriden Every Sunday in May, from 11:00 am till 3:00 pm

The Homestead’s new fence and the Society’s sign were wrecked in a recent automobile accident. Despite the damage to the property we are going on with our May open house plans. On display, will be

MERIDEN EPHEMARA (MOSTLY)

E•phe•me•ra

plural noun

things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time.

• items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity. Advertising cards, post cards, paper giveaways, match boxes, brochures, calendars, letterheads, candy wrappers and all that is paper and not meant to have been kept, will be on display at the Andrews Homestead on Sundays during the month of May.

Admission to the Homestead is free. Donations are much appreciated.

MAY PROGRAM: ANNUAL PIZZA AND POP PARTY

THURSDAY, MAY 8TH  6:00 P.M. at the Bernice Morehouse Research Center, 1090 Hanover St. South Meriden, CT

Our Annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 8^th at 6:00 PM. This meeting is for members only. (Yes, you can bring one friend/spouse/child) The President and Committee Chairs will give their annual reports. The membership will vote in the officers for the upcoming year and we’ll all have pizza, salad, coffee, tea and soda (AKA Pop). This is a chance to see the Society’s Wave Crest Collection, which will be on display.

SLATE OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2014-2015

OFFICERS:

PRESIDENT – Peter Slavinski

VICE PRESIDENT – Bill Siegel

SECRETARY – Martha Colaresi

TREASURER – Frank Pociadlo

MEMBERSHIP – Diane Tobin

CURATOR – Allen Weathers

DIRECTORS:

Ruth Borsuk

Sherwin Borsuk

Mary Ellen Brechlin

Brian Cofrancesco

Jan Franco

Bruce Rovinsky

Stacey Rovinsky

Lesley Solkoske

Kate Slavinski

Ron Stempien (honorary member)

SPECIAL THANKS

To Lester Dequaine for his very generous donation to the society.

To Diane Tobin for her recent donation of 3 binders filled with Meriden post cards and other Ephemera. The binders will be among the items in our May exhibit. We invite you to “sit a spell” and browse the binders.

 

FOR THEIR DONATIONS TO THE MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

WE THANK

John G. Arndt,

Doe Bartlett,

Henry Benoit,

W. Scott Braznell,

Frank Chiarenze,

Lester Dequaine,

Nancy Gluck,

Margaret S. Jenkins,

Lucy Mickiewicz

 

 

 

 

MARCH PROGRAM:

JEDEDIAH WILCOX and THE MERIDEN WILCOX MANSION: HISTORY, MYSTERY and LEGACY

presented by BRIAN COFRANCESCO

TUESDAY, 3/11/14 6:30 P.M. at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street, Meriden

Brian CoFrancesco, an architectural historian, will be presenting a program about Jedediah Wilcox, a Meriden manufacturer and partner in the Wilcox Silver Plate Company.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Most long-time Meriden residents will recall marveling at the remarkable Wilcox Mansion, situated at 816 Broad St. until its demise in 1971 to make room for a gas station. Someone who knows it especially well is Brian CoFrancesco, an architectural historian who began an investigation into the mansion’s history while a student at the University of Virginia. Brian will give a talk accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation on the ”princely residence” built in 1870 for carpetbag and hoop-skirt manufacturer Jedediah Wilcox.
Co-Sponsored by and presented at the Meriden Public Library, this program is free. All are welcome. If you would like to reserve a seat, contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349, email comsvc@hotmail.

AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD:

We were pleased to welcome the teachers of PSI Chapter, Alpha Delta Kappa to the Andrews Homestead Meriden Museum. A history of Meriden and its manufacturers was included in the guided tour.

A special tour is scheduled for the fifth grade students of the Ben Franklin School. The students, their teacher and accompanying parents will be visiting us in early March.

 

APRIL PROGRAM:

SALTS presented by LESLEY SOLKOSKE

Scheduled for April 8, 2014 at 6:30 pm at the Meriden Public Library 105 Miller St. Meriden

Lesley Solkoske, a member of both the Meriden Historical Society and the New England Society of Open Salt Collectors, will give a presentation on Salts, open salt dishes used to serve salt on the Victorian dinner table before the days of salt shakers! She will display salts made here in Meriden and elsewhere.

 

SPECIAL THANKS to Chris Ruel, Brian CoFrancesco, Jan Franco, Frank Pociadlo, Dian Tobin and Ruth Borsuk who put together a powerpoint presentation titled A HISTORY OF MERIDEN.  We now have a “canned” program, ready to be presented anywhere. Heartfelt thanks to the CUNO Foundation whose grant allowed us to purchase the necessary equipment for this and future such programs.

ADDITIONAL THANKS are extended to Bruce and Stacey Rovinsky. The Rovinsky family had opened their Halloween transformed Meriden Home to the public as a fun filled fundraiser. The Meriden  Historical Society  is grateful to have received a generous donation from the Rovinsky family.

 

WE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS

Seth Eddy of Meriden, CT

Lisa Davis of New Haven, CT

Patricia F. Singer of Atlanta, GA

 

FOR THEIR DONATION TO THE MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

WE THANK

Sherwin and Ruth Borsuk

Glen Fulton

James and Betty Masterson

Bruce and Stacey Rovinsky

Patricia Singer