Join us for an engaging lecture and discussion exploring the rich history and impact of Irish immigration in Meriden, Connecticut. This event will delve into the challenges, triumphs, and cultural contributions of the Irish community in the city, from its early settlers to its lasting legacy. The evening will feature the history of Irish immigration in Meriden, including its social, economic, and cultural dimensions from the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, local people of Irish descent and museum staff. Please register HERE.
We invite you to arrive early and explore our new West Gallery, currently featuring the exhibition “Polished Perspectives: The Art of International Silver“.
Join Martha Colaresi as she shares her research on the role of religious sanctuary in the founding of Meriden; the roots of its founding faiths; and the impact of faith-based institutions on the cultural diversity of Meriden.
The presentation will explore spiritual and social traditions that sustained our immigrant communities, the evolution of their sacred spaces, and their significant role in shaping our city’s rich history.Registerhere. Come early and see our new West Gallery, Polished Perspectives: The Art of International Silver. The new gallery is truly beautiful.
Step back in time to uncover the origins of Meriden, Connecticut. This compelling lecture from the Wallingford Historical Society takes you on a journey through the town’s earliest days, revealing how its Colonial roots shaped the vibrant community we see today.
Discover the stories of the settlers, the challenges they faced, and the spirit of innovation and perseverance that built Meriden from the ground up. Whether you’re a local history enthusiast or simply curious about the past, this event offers a fascinating glimpse into the foundations of a remarkable town. Register here. As an added bonus, we will have a sneak preview of our new West Gallery, Polished Perspectives: The Art of International Silver, for all those who attend. The new gallery is truly beautiful.
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 doing this with another person. You must preregister HERE to make sure we have enough materials for all.
Join us 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 receipe and the story behind it. Please register HERE. The event is free.
Tickets are limited. Registration required.The generosity of the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home makes it possible to not charge admission although your donations are always appreciated. October 26th Saint Stanislaus Ann St. Extension Register St Stanislaus by Thursday October 24th Register for the entire series HERE.
The generosity of the Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service, John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral home and Meriden Memorial Funeral Home makes it possible to not charge admission although your donations are always appreciated.
Starting Tuesday October 1st at 41 W Main on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00. Be sure to select the correct ticket for either in person or online for each ticket.
Individual Sessions $15 each
Oct 29 Meriden After Dark Register HERE. Nov 5 Meriden Legends Register HERE. Nov 12 Meriden and Ethnicity Register HERE. Nov 19 Meriden and Sibling Rivalry Register HERE.
The lecture will traverse historical epochs and geographical landscapes, revealing how dolls serve as both mirrors and influencers of cultural norms, societal expectations, and evolving notions of identity. Discussion how dolls are miniature companions of the imagination, a conduit for transmitting social values and the depiction of cultures aesthetics. More than just playthings, special objects are intertwined in human history through the materials involved, the unique innovations in their creation, and the roles they represented. It will be a thought-provoking journey through the doll world that both reflects and molds the societies from which they emerge.
Brayton Price recently earned a master’s degree in public history at Central Connecticut State University. He is a museum educator at Noah Webster House and assistant researcher for Coltsville National Historic Park. His recent historical interests and personal subject of study is the history of childhood and youth culture, where he examines society’s definition and interpretation of growing up. He lives in Vernon, Connecticut, with his wife Gillian, and their dog, Bowie.
Coming in October!
We are jam packed with things in October. Dolltober, our doll exhibit in partnership with the White Oaks Doll Club will be on display at the Andrews Homestead on Sundays in October, reservations are not required. Chek back for hours in September,
The second round of cemetary tours will also kick off on Saturdays in October with an additional tour on Sunday, October 13th. Registration is required and will open on September 11th. Stay tuned for details as the time gets closer.
Discover the hidden tales and vibrant narratives that have shaped our community over the years. From its beginnings to its pivotal moments, delve into the lesser known stories of Meriden’s past, guided by Justin Piccirillo. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about the roots of our town, this 8-week series which begins June 18th promises to ignite your curiosity and deepen your connection to Meriden’s heritage. Class will meet every Tuesday at 6:30 here at the Museum.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to unravel the layers of history that lie beneath our streets and buildings. You may register for the entire series for $99 or for individual lectures for $15 each. Registration is required. Click here A virtual opition is available for those who cannot attend in person. Be sure to click on the correct ticket for your choice.
We’ve Come a Long Way… Maybe The Changing Role of Women in Meriden Since 1900n
Join us for our Spring Exhibit in partnership with Girls, Inc. The opening reception is Friday March 1st at 6:00 PM to coincide with the beginning of Women’s History month. You must make a reservation to attend the opening reception. Click here to reserve.
This exhibit chronicles the lives of women since 1900 through the three areas, women at work, women at play and women at home. It features local women who made a difference in Meriden during this period. After seeing the exhibit, you are invited to share your story of what it means to be a woman in Meriden today with the Leadership Teens from Girls, Inc. in the East Gallery. The Exhibit will be on display through May during our regular hours and on the first Sunday of each month.
At The Andrews Homestead
Saturday May 4th 1-3
Grow Your Own Herb Garden
Join us at the Homestead as we create an herb garden
reminiscent of colonial times for you to bring home with
Open House at the Andrews Be the first to see our new exhibits and stories Tours at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00. Sign up here.
Spring Lecture Series
4th Thursday of the month starting at 6:30 at 41 W Main Street
Thursday March 28th Are you interested in an upcoming Meriden history lesson? How about this – Hubbard Park Part II, with more Secrets Revealed? Due to space requirements, there was so much information that had to be excluded with the first book, Images of America: Hubbard Park, that Justin Piccirillo would like to entertain you with several new and untold tales of the park. In addition, it provides a teaser to his upcoming book, Hidden History of Meriden. Trust me! You are not going to want to miss this!
Thursday April 25th “Connecticut in Motion: How Four Centuries of Transportation Have Shaped Our State.” Richard DeLuca will talk about the importance of transportation as a force of history, and highlight the various stages of transportation development in Connecticut, from stagecoaches on the original Post Road, to steamboats, railroads, electric trolleys and of course the automobile in the twentieth century. He will end with a short discussion of the impact of climate change on transportation and Connecticut’s future. Attached are cover images of my two books, and one of myself. The second volume “Paved Roads & Public Money” will be for sale at the meeting, received the Connecticut Book Award from the Humanities Council.
Thursday May 23rd Girls, Inc will present the oral histories they took throughout the Spring Exhibit from current Meriden women who came to the exhibit. Members of the Meriden chapter of Girls, Inc., spent time during the current exhibit, “We’ve Come a Long Way…Maybe: The Changing Role of Women in Meriden Since 1900” collecting the stories of women who visited the exhibit. They will share the perspectives of female visitors to the exhibition on what it is like to be a woman today here in Meriden. Their narrative will share the stories as we take a glimpse at their lives and experiences.
We had a full house at the Andrews Homestead for our first Gingerbread House Workshop on December 9th. Here are some samples of their work. Carol Murdock, a master baker and creator of Gingerbread houses for the Wadsworth Atheneum and the State House was our guide.
Meriden K12 Public School Outreach
The Society currently visits fourth and fifth grade classrooms on a monthly basis to present lessons which incorporate objects from our collection and helps us develop our next generation of history lovers. In this lesson students look at the map of the Oregon Trail before going to the gym where they have a list of items to pick and actual items from the collection. They must fill their wagon; the outline on the library floor, and not go over their weight limit of 2000 pounds.
Holiday Get Together for Volunteers and Board
A new holiday tradition was started with a holiday get together
to thank our awesome volunteers and dedicated Board members for all
their hard work during the year.
Meriden Fast Forward
Our contest closed On December 1st and the winning photographs and essays were featured at our February 22nd presentation. The First Prize (photo to the left) went to Madison Lionello. Read her essay on the next page.
Fast Forward First Prize – Madison Lionello
One of the most impactful events in history during the 21st century was the Coronavirus outbreak. The state Department of Health and Human Services reported more than 3,000 positive tests, with 100 deaths in Meriden, 12 months after the virus was introduced to the United States. Many more of our friends and family got the virus, and some, unfortunately passed away because of it. Before COVID, we haven’t experienced a global pandemic since the flu in 1968. This virus shutdown our social lives and changed everything.
For a long time, the truth was unknown. We were quarantined for months on end and our “freedom” was far from us. During this period, everyone was required to wear a mask when leaving the house. Any signs of sickness were taken with serious precautions. Many become unemployed with the pandemic destroying businesses. The virus altered our economy, and as if we weren’t already buying enough products online, Americans became increasingly reliant on online shopping.
Once the vaccination was released, pure chaos started up again. Debates on whether or not to receive it, or which companies vaccine to get, filled the news reports. Some were required to get it, others refused. The COVID-19 vaccine is a major component to the future. Will everyone take it as babies like they do the smallpox vaccine? Is it actually helpful, or just there to ease our minds? Will there be any side effects in the future? This question especially worries me, because we won’t know until later on. A hundred years from now, scientists will probably have the answers, but for now, all we can do is hope for the best.
Whenever I see a mask now, all I can think about are the difficult times that we endured. Despite all that was happening around us, school still continued. We tried to proceed as normal to show that we were still strong. This just goes to show how important education is.
Even though we were at risk of getting sick or contaminating others, we continued our learning. We found ways to make it work; whether that be through online video chats or by wearing a mask and maintaining our distance. This truly represents Meriden. We will go the miles to build a foundation for a successful future. Together, we were able to move forward. Together, we stayed strong. And together, we survived the pandemic.
The Coronavirus pandemic will be talked about for generations. We’ll never forget being shut away from the outside world. Things will never go back to what they were in the years leading up to the pandemic. We are much more cautious and aware of our health and have developed natural reactions to situations, such as maintaining our distance from someone who sneezes or wearing a mask as flu season comes along. COVID isn’t gone, but it’s a lot less of a threat than it was a couple years ago. It’s not just a story, but an experience that we had to live through. Meriden went through a lot of changes because of the pandemic, and those changes will be heavily observed in the future.
New Members We welcome the following new members! Leona Janz, Donald Shubert, Thomas Welsh We Note with Sorrow It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Norman Ness and are grateful to him for remembering us in his will. Spring Hours through May 31, 2024 Wednesday 9:00- 3:00 Open Thursday 1:00-8:00 Closed 1st Thursday (4/4, 5/2, 6/1) Friday 9:00-3:00 By Appointment Saturday 41 W Main Second and Fourth Saturdays 9-2 Andrews Reopens on May 4th for community events’ Closed for Easter Weekend 3/29-4/1 Reopens Tuesday 4/2
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