Lecture TONIGHT Hippies and Hard Hats: Meriden in the Viet Nam Era

Step back into Meriden during the Viet Nam era—a time of protest, factory shifts, family kitchens, and the Hanging Hills watching over it all. This lecture explores how the national tensions of the Vietnam War era were reflected in the community of Meriden, Connecticut. Through stories of local residents, veterans, activists, and workers, it examines the cultural divide between the counterculture movement often associated with “hippies” and the more traditional working-class values represented by “hard hats.” Set against the backdrop of Meriden’s iconic Hanging Hills, the presentation highlights how issues such as war, protest, patriotism, social change, and generational conflict shaped daily life in the city during the 1960s and 1970s. By connecting local experiences to broader national events, the lecture provides a deeper understanding of how the Vietnam War era influenced Meriden’s history and identity.  Reserve your  seat HERE.

Free to members.  $7 for adult non-members.