Category: News & Events

Gingerbread Houses Are Back!

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.

Culinary Crossroads

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.

WHO’S BURIED WHERE AND WHY DO WE CARE5

Tours of Meriden Cemeteries

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.

Past Events

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.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Meriden Historical Society’s Annual Membership Meeting will take place on Thursday, September 8, 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 PROGRAM Co-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”

Link to register: https://meriden.librarycalendar.com/event/tories-spies-traitors-divided-loyalty-revolutionary-connecticut
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/35205933023569

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JUNE PROGRAM

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.

MISSION & VISION

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.

THE MERIDEN GRAVURE COMPANY- PRINTING BEFORE THE DIGITAL AGE – LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING

Presented by William (Bill) J. Glick

Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Meriden Public Library 105 Miller Street, Meriden

William J. (Bill) Glick will present an illustrated talk about the Meriden Gravure Company and the talented people who were the driving force behind this world renowned, Meriden based, printing company. In his presentation, Bill will draw on his 30 year association with the company as well as on his extensive research when writing his recently published book IN THE SERVICE OF SCHOLARSHIP: HAROLD HUGO & THE MERIDEN GRAVURE COMPANY (Oak Knoll Press 2017).

Book signing will follow the discussion.

This program is free to both members and non-members of the Meriden Historical Society. Refreshments will be served.

OCTOBER 2017 OPEN HOUSE AND SPECIAL EXHIBIT

Our October 2017 Open House will feature Communication Before the Digital Age. We’ll be open on Saturdays, October 14 & 28 and on Sundays, October 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
A special wine and cheese reception for members and their guests is scheduled for Saturday, October 7,  4:30PM – 6:30 PM.
Admission is free, donations are gratefully appreciated.