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
Corporate Sponsors *APEC Electric 45 Shuler Ln Durham CT 06422 203-238-0427 https://www.apecelectricct.com/ *Jonal Laboratories 456 Center St. Meriden CT 06451 203-634-4444 https://www.jonal.com/ LaRosa Construction, * L. Suzio Insurance Center, 538 Preston Ave #303 54 Chamberlain Hwy. Meriden, CT 06451 Meriden CT 0645 (203) 237-5409 203-237-7403 http://www.larosaconstructionco.com/www.Suzioinsurance.com *Mahon, Quinn & Mahon, P.C. 636 Broad St. * Tunxis Ohr’s Fuel Meriden CT 06450 80 Britannia St. 203-238-1010 Meriden CT 06451 WWW.mqmlawyer.comwww.tuxisfuel.com3-639-3513 *Meriden Memorial Funeral Home 450 Broad St. *Plimpton & Hills Meriden CT 06450 300 Research Parkway 203-235-9181 Meriden, CT 06450 www.meridenmemorialfh.comwww.plimptonhills.com860-522-4233 *Mule Security & Electric Inc. 113 Broad St. Meriden CT 06450 203-238-7561 www.mulesecurity.com *New England Capital Financial Advisors, LLC 79 Main St. Meriden CT 06451 203-935-0265 www.newenglandcapital.com
Who’s Buried Where and Why Do We Care? Join us for our first annual series of walking tours, led by current and former MHS Board members. We will visit a different cemetery every Saturday to “meet” residents who made Meriden great as well as look at some of our more unusual gravestones. We will meet at the entrance of each cemetery at 1:00. Tours are approximately two hours long. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Tickets are $10 for each individual tour.Registration is required for each event. For more details and to register click the links below.
September 30th 1741-1771 Meetinghouse Hill and Broad Street Cemetery
October 28th 1876 Sacred Heart Cemetery Register Sacred by Thursday October 26th
At the Andrews Homestead
Saturday 9/16 1-4Open House
Join us for the Fall Open House and see the treasures at the Homestead.
Saturday 10/7 4-7Spooky Stories
Join us as dusk arrives to listen to seasonal spooky stories. There are stories for children 8 and under, children 9 and up and adults. Children’s stories start promptly at 4:00 and 5:00. 6:00 is adult spooky stories! There will be an activity for children after story time. Reservations are required due to space limitations. Click HERE to reserve your spot.
Saturday 11/4 1-4Colonial Centerpiece Making
This is an herb wreath, not greenery and properly stored can be used for years. You must sign up and prepay the cost no later than Sat 10/14 in order for us to order and receive the materials in time. Click HERE to reserve and prepay between October 1 and October 14 Registration is not yet open for this event.
Saturday12/9 1-4Gingerbread Houses
Join award winning baker Carol Murdock and create your house. It will be too pretty to eat! You must register and prepay the cost by 11/14 in order for us to order and receive materials on time. Click HERE to reserve and prepay before November 14th.
Lecture Series Our lecture and presentation series is the last Thursday of the month barring holidays or unforeseen circumstances. We start promptly at 6:30. Our Fall line-up is as follows.
September 28 SMOKESTACKS TO MANSIONS: Connecticut’s Industrial Age & Gilded Age Families Come to an inspiring evening as Christina Volpe M.A., Ph.D. Candidate talks about the captivating history of Connecticut’s industrial growth and the opulent lives of Gilded Age families. This lecture takes you on a mesmerizing trip back in time, exploring the rise of industries including the silver industry and the lavish lifestyles of prominent families who left an indelible mark on our history. Click HERE to reserve your seat.
October 26 SPOOKTACULAR MERIDEN Meriden has some great scary stories and mysteries, from the Black Dog in the Hanging Hills, to the Underhill Sanitorium, the Leatherman and even our very own Andrews Homestead. Come enjoy some seasonal fun learning about spooky goings on in Meriden and in Connecticut. We are asking attendees to be bring a new toy as admission which we will donate to the holiday campaign here in Meriden. Click HERE to reserve your seat November 30 MERIDEN THEN and NOW We invite you to share the essence of eight decades of life, dreams, and transformation in our city. Come and listen as local high school students share the data from all the stories collected detailing how the lives of children and teens have changed over the last 80 years here in Meriden. We are very excited to share these stories with you. We are asking attendees to be bring a new toy as admission which we will donate to the holiday campaign here in Meriden Click HERE to reserve your seat. There is no presentation in December because of the holiday season. We will restart our lecture series on January 26th. Our Winter newsletter, arriving in late November, will have all the details.
Activities
MERIDEN THEN AND NOW
Ongoing through September 15th
We invite you to help us capture the essence of eight decades of life, dreams, and transformation in our city. Don’t miss your chance to become a part of Meriden’s living history! We will be collecting stories through September 15th. You can choose to be recordedor write your answers and email them to us.For more information, visit our website at www.meridenhistoricalsociety.org to download the questions or call 203-639-1913.
MERIDEN FAST FORWARD
Opens 10/1 Closes 12/1
Join the fun with this photography contest open to the public. Participants take a picture of a person, place or thing they think will be historically important 100 years from now in Meriden. Gallery 53 will host a juried exhibition in January for the artistic merits of the photos while a panel of historians will review the narratives for the historical importance. Prizes will be awarded at 41 W Main on Thursday 2/23 at 6:30 with the winners presenting their work. For more information and get the directions please email us info@meridenhistsoc.org .
New Members We welcome the following new members! Lori Canney Jennifer Farina Suzanne Goldberg Ed & Jeanne Hanlon
Fall Hours 41 W Main
Wednesday 9:00- 3:00 Tours at 11 and 1 Thursday 3:00-8:00 Closed 1st Thursday (9/7, 10/5, 11/2, 12/7) Friday By Appointment First Saturdays 9-12
I spend a lot of my time wondering about the future of history. In recent years, history has slowly and surely been relegated to red-headed stepchild status in the world of curriculum, taking a place far behind math, English and science. My love for history was kindled at an early age by my father, whose passion for history was communicated to all of his children. I loved stories about the past, anyone’s past, anywhere on the planet. I loved historical fiction, maybe because I liked to pick it apart for historical inaccuracies, but actually for the contextually rich background that authors like Diana Gabaldon and Phillipa Gregory painted, that brought me right in to those worlds. I loved real history. It was my favorite subject. And it is little wonder that I would choose to become a history teacher as my first profession.
I have changed careers but always come back to my professional roots in some form and I now feel that I have come full circle returning to that first love of history as I settle in here at the historical society. But I must share that I worry about the future of the discipline that is far and away my favorite. A recent writing in the American Association of State and Local History was right on the money. And I quote, referring to America’s historical societies, “They have had a strong run since the beginning of the twentieth century, but have always found it hard to do two things: find new board members and attract young families. The running joke is that local societies have always been run by “little old ladies in white tennis shoes.” And they’ve done a good job, but can they, as a force, sustain the pattern?”
And it keeps me awake at night. Once Generation X hits retirement age,the numbers shrink in comparison to Boomers. STEERIKE ONE There will simply be less people who will support the work, and fewer people for lectures, activities and all the rest. And those demographic patterns are not going to change.
People who were born and stayed in a place their wholes lives are becoming more rare. Gone are “I was born on Such and Such Street, right next to the big house where so and so used to live.” We are a highly mobile society and we aren’t all local anymore. Fewer and fewer people with long memories who have deep ties to the community are available to work at preserving any town’s history. STEERIKE TWO. The writing is on the wall.
Now, consider this last point. Local historical societies are just that – local. Local organizations need to see a bigger picture, not just stop at the town line. How do we avoid striking out? Engage younger people. Keep up with technology. Embrace all of the cultures that made and continue to make Meriden what it is so everyone knows they are a part of the story that continues to unfold every single day. What are your thoughts? How can you help us get to the next part of our story? Email us at info@meridenhistsoc.org with your ideas with the subject line “IDEAS”.
NEW EXHIBIT COMING IN OCTOBER
Stay tuned for the details as the Museum celebrates 125 years of history with the Suzio Family.
Follow us on Facebook for updates. It’s going to be fabulous!
Join us here at the Historical Society to create a special memory with a young person who is special to you. The theme is Everybody Has a (Hi)story. We will provide a question template which you can use to write your story! It is a series of questions that a child can ask their special adult and can be done at home. The questions are on the last page. Our request is that the child(ren) along with their significant adult, visit us with their story on Saturday June 10th between 10 and 1:30. We will take your picture and story and turn it into a finished document and email it back to you or you can come back in a week and pick it up.
Join us for a scavenger hunt. Email director@meridenhistsoc.org to request a copy of the rules. (They will be emailed on Friday at Noon to all) Each riddle describes a Meriden landmark or site and has a point value. You can choose which questions you answer, but your goal is to earn as many points as possible by solving the riddle, going to the site, photographing your team in front of each, and returning your answers in person to 41 West Main Street by noon on the 17th OR emailing them by to director@meridenhistsoc.org The team with the most points and proper photographs at 12 noon on Saturday the 17th wins! Prizes will be awarded!
Come enjoy music from 11-7 in the plaza next to the Historical Society and look at our music themed window display. This event is presented by Meriden Parks and Recreation and the Olde Church Acoustic Series.
Join us at the Historical Society to hear Kathleen Housley, author of Stone Breaker: James Gates Percival and the Beginning of Geology in New England. She will be sharing the life of James Gates Percival. His love of the Hanging Hills was lifelong. It was his realization that the Hanging Hills were volcanic and far older than 6,000 years, the presumed age of the Earth during his time, that helped push geology forward as a science in New England.
Admission is free to members. Suggested donation is $10.00 for non-members.
Please contact the office to reserve your seat (203-639-1913) or by email: info@MeridenHistSoc.org or click HERE to reserve online.
Thursday 7/27 6:30 at the Meriden Museum and History Center 41 W Main Street Meriden
STRIKES, SPARES AND GUTTER BALLS
Tuesday 8/1 5-8 at Hubbard Park
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
There is no Thursday evening presentation in August.
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MEMBERSHIP
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Join us at the Historical Society to hear Art Dutra and Tony Ezzo. They will be sharing the history of bowling in Meriden and unveiling the model of the Ezzo Building.
Admission is free to members. Suggested donation is $5.00 for non-members.
Please contact the office to reserve your seat (203-639-1913) or by email: info@MeridenHistSoc.org or click HERE to reserve online.
Meriden’s 13th annual National Night Out being planned by the Council of Neighborhoods and the Meriden Police Department’s Neighborhood Initiative Unit will be held on Tuesday August 1st 5pm to 8pm at Hubbard Park. Rain date is Wednesday August 2nd. The event is free of charge including food and beverages, entertainment and children’s activities. Please bring your families and friends and join us!
COME SEE OUR WINDOWS
Flags are in our entryway. June Bride is in our eastern Window and Advertising in Meriden in our Western Window. The window facing the park features Music in Meriden.
Welcome to our new members
Stephen M. Clough, Sr. Rachel Nieland
Cheryl & Daimer Weston
ZEFFY – A NEW WAY TO MAKE RESERVATIONS, PAY DUES & MAKE DONATIONS TO THE SOCIETY
Welcome to Zeffy, our new online fundraising platform that now manages our event reservations, ticket purchases, donations, membership, volunteers and more. While other platforms take a portion of donations in fees, Zeffy gives 100% of all donations directly to nonprofits and relies on voluntary contributions as a source of income. When you use the platform it will ask you for a voluntary contribution to Zeffy, the default suggested is 18%. Just click on the 18%, scroll down and choose “other” which allows you to enter any dollar amount including zero.
If you prefer to use PayPal – we are subscribed to PayPal too.
Everybody has a (hi)story!
CT OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY JUNE 10 10-1:30
My important adult’s name is ___________________________________________________
Where was s/h born? _________________________________________________________
S/he is ______________ years old.
His/her favorite thing to do when s/he was my age was _______________________________
Join us for our first annual series of walking tours, led by current and former MHS Board members. We will visit a different cemetery every Saturday to “meet” residents who made Meriden great as well as look at some of our more unusual gravestones. We will meet at the entrance of each cemetery at 1:00. Tours are approximately two hours long. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Tickets are $10 for each individual tour. Registration is required for each event. For more details and to register click the link below.
We will visit a different cemetery every Saturday to “meet” residents who made Meriden great as well as look at some of our more unusual gravestones. We will meet at the entrance of each cemetery at 1:00. Tours are approximately two hours long. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Tickets are $10 for each individual tour.Registration is required for each event. For more details and to register click the links below. October 21th 1863 Walnut Grove Cemetery Register Walnut by Thursday October 19th October 28th 1876 Sacred Heart Cemetery Register Sacred by Thursday October 26th
Show and Tell – Thursday, March 30th, 2023 6:30 pm, 41 W. Main St. downtown Meriden
Meriden Show and Tell: What is it? Where is it? Who is it? – Thursday, 3/30/2023 6:30 PM
Join us at the Society’s Museum and History Center to share your stories, discoveries and queries relating to Meriden and its history. A panel of members of the Society will be on hand to answer questions and present unusual items from the Society’s collection. Seating is limited. Admission is free. Reservations are recommended, by calling the office (203-639-1913) or emailing us: info@meridenhistsoc.org
OCTAGONAL HOUSES – Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 6:30 pm, 41 W. Main St. downtown Meriden
Sherwin Borsuk, past president of the Meriden Historical Society, will present a PowerPoint illustrated program on the mid-19th century craze for octagonal houses.
Admission is free. Seating is limited.Please send us an email (MeridenHistoricalSociety@gmail.com) or call the office (203-639-1913) to reserve your seat.
PAST EVENTS
THE HISTORY OF MARKHAM AIRPORT– Thursday, 1/26/2023, 6:30 pm 41 W. Main St. downtown Meriden
The Meriden Historical Society will be hosting a lecture on Meriden Markham Airport presented by Constance Castillo, Markham Airport Manager. Ms. Castillo is a certified flight instructor and has been an active member of the local Ninety-Nines, an international organization for women pilots. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information or to reserve a seat at our lecture room, please contact Michael J. Zaffino, Administrator at 203.639.1913.
ANNUALMEMBERSHIP MEETING
The Meriden Historical Society’s Annual Membership Meeting will take place on Thursday, September8, 2022
6:00 pm
at our downtown Museum & History Center 41 W. Main Street, Meriden.
Agenda: Committee reports; President’s report; Meet Michael J. Zaffino – our administrator; Eat and schmooze on the patio
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JULY PROGRAM: An Aerial View – Meriden Present and Past
Thursday, July 28, 2022 6:30 pm at our Museum and History Center 41 W. Main St. Meriden, and streaming on Zoom.
Free admission. Donations gratefully accepted and help keep our doors open.
Sam Carr – Will present photographs of Meriden from the view of drones providing mostly current images of both iconic and typical views of the City from unique perspectives. There will also be some older views of Meriden, taken from an airplane from the 1930’s thru 1980’s, that will be compared to recent images to show how the city has changed over the years. A short discussion of drone rules and regulations will be included. Sam holds a private pilot license from the FAA as well as a commercial UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle – drone) license.
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JULY PROGRAMCo-sponsored with the Meriden Public Library:
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 6:30 pm at the Meriden Mall, 470 Lewis Ave, Meriden – next to Champs. Presented by Christina Rewinski
Which side are you on? That’s the question that every single person in Connecticut had to answer in 1775, as the thirteen colonies began a rebellion against British rule. Loyalty was not only a matter of words or opinion, For soldiers and civilians alike, loyalty could mean loss of fortune, of friends, and even of life. This presentation reveals stories – some well known, some obscure – of Nutmeggers who risked and sacrificed to support their chosen side during this “tumultuous jarring time of civil war”
SYLVESTER POLI – THEATER MAGNATE, his life and involvement in Meriden.
Presented by Michael J. Zaffino.
Thursday, June 30th at 6:30 pm at the Meriden Historical Society’s Museum and History Center, 41 W. Main St. Meriden CT
41 w. Main St., downtown Meriden
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Join us at our Downtown History Center Location on Sunday, 6/11/22 between the hours of 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. On display are photographs and artifacts featuring Meriden’s People, Products and Places. Free admission.
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Our feature exhibit at our October Open House will be dedicated to Rosa Ponselle.
OUR MISSION To steward the rich and diverse history of Meriden, Connecticut and its people. We collect, preserve, research, and exhibit artifacts; create educational programming; and support research that accurately interprets Meriden’s past. We inspire and engage others to learn about and take pride in the history of our community.
OUR VISION To be a vibrant center, providing multi-media access and resources for all members of our community, scholars, students, and others, to understand, appreciate, and experience the history of Meriden.
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