With a refreshed Mission and Vision, The Meriden Historical Society will be relocating from our research center in South Meriden to 39-41 West Main Street, in the heart of Downtown Meriden. This historic building’s size and central location will allow us to expand our public programs, exhibit more of our collection, welcome more researchers and visitors, and better tell the story of our community! We will continue to operate our other location, the Andrews Homestead on West Main Street. Our new 14,000 square foot home features a large lecture and programming space on the main floor coupled with exhibit, research and conservation spaces on the other floors. It is located across from the police station, convenient parking, and is ADA accessible. We look forward to increasing collaboration with our schools, arts organizations, library and others to recognize the contributions of the people of Meriden.
39-41 West Main Street was originally built in 1921 for the National Gas & Electric Light Company
To find out how to make a contribution click HERE.
For more information, please contact us at: MeridenHistoricalSociety@gmail.com
Saturday, 6/12/2021 (Rain date: Sunday, 6/13/2021) – Meet inside Hubbard Park’s Bandshell at 10 AM for a walk through the lower park. During this slightly over 1 hour walking tour, you will learn about Walter Hubbard, the park’s prehistory, little known park details like the “Man in the Stone”, structures like the Cahill House and pool, now gone features like the zoo and the legacy of the park. Due to layout of the park, this walking tour is not wheelchair friendly.
Following the tour, Justin’s newly-published book Hubbard Park will be available for purchase and book-signing at the Society’s museum, The Moses Andrews Homestead. The Museum is located down the road from Hubbard Park, at 424 W. Main St., Meriden. The Museum closes at 3:00 PM.
Join us on Thursday, May 20 at 6:30pm as Justin Piccirillo, author of the newly-released book “Hubbard Park,†tells the stories of the people who made this celebrated Meriden masterpiece a local landmark.
Hubbard Park has been Meriden’s “crown jewel” for over a century. Throughout its long and exciting history, there have been many men and women associated with the park. Whether playing a role in its development and beautification, or committing to its recreational appeal and preservation, these Hubbard Park faces deserve attention. This program will be presented on Zoom and also streamed to the Meriden Historical Society’s Facebook page, facebook.com/meridenhistoricalsociety. Please RSVP your attendance at http://tiny.cc/mhs-hubbardpark to join us on Zoom. Registered attendees will receive a link to the program via email the day of the program.
Meriden’s many manufacturers and businesses produced numerous items over the years that enabled Meriden’s citizens and people all over the world to engage in activities which, done in excess, turn into bad habits.
Be it tobacco (smoked or chewed), alcohol, or gambling (with cards or other means), Meriden companies had a wealth of products that could be used in these pursuits.
Join us at our Museum, the Moses Andrews Homestead between the hours of 11 AM and 3 PMSunday, May 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd 30th 2021 & Saturday, June 12th (in conjunction with CT Open House) to view many of those items.
Join us on Thursday, April 15 at 6:30 PM as Lesley Solkoske, Meriden Historical Society volunteer and Hanover Park researcher, leads a visual walk (and talk) through Hanover Park, its history and its various attractions as captured in photographs, postcards and maps.
This program will be presented on Zoom and also streamed to the Meriden Historical Society’s Facebook page, facebook.com/meridenhistoricalsociety. Please RSVP your attendance at http://tiny.cc/mhs-hanoverpark to join us on Zoom. Registered attendees will receive a link to the program via email the day of the program.
On October 29, 1900, hundreds of local residents gathered at Castle Craig for a celebration and the official dedication of Hubbard Park, Walter Hubbard’s gift to Meriden.
Join us on October 29 at 6:30pm as we commemorate this historic anniversary – 120 years to the day! – with a virtual program by historian, educator and author of “Hubbard Park†Justin Piccirillo. Mr. Piccirillo will share a new video tour of Hubbard Park and answer questions from attendees.
This program will be presented on Zoom and also streamed to the Meriden Historical Society’s Facebook page, facebook.com/meridenhistoricalsociety. There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP your attendance via the registration form HERE to join us on Zoom. Registered attendees will receive a link to the program via email the day of the program.
This program is co-presented by the Meriden Historical Society and the Meriden Department of Parks and Recreation.
CLOSED: Our Bernice Morehouse research center is closed to the public until April 14, 2020. Stay safe!
CANCELLED: BUSTER KEATON, THE GREATEST OF THE SILENT CLOWNS – Tuesday, March 17, 6:30 PM at the Meriden Public Library
MEETINGS: The Board of Directors meeting scheduled for March 18, 2020 will be held via Free Conference Call. All board members are requested to call in as per instructions sent via email.
THE JEDEDIAH WILCOX MANSION ANNIVERSARY – celebrating 150 years.Â
One of Meriden’s most magnificent homes, the Jedediah Wilcox Mansion stood at 816 Broad Street for just over 100 years. When the Wilcox family moved in on November 19, 1870, the Meriden Daily Republican described the building as “a princely mansion† and “the finest residence…in the state.â€
Join us on November 19 at 6:30pm as we commemorate the historic 150th anniversary – to the day! – of the mansion’s completion with a virtual program by local historian Brian Cofrancesco. Mr. Cofrancesco will share his years of research about Jedediah Wilcox, the history of the mansion, photographs of its interior and exterior, and its complicated history. There will also be a special announcement you won’t want to miss! Â
This program will be presented on Zoom and also streamed to the Meriden Historical Society’s Facebook page, facebook.com/meridenhistoricalsociety. There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP your attendance at tiny.cc/mhs-wilcoxmansion to join us on Zoom. Registered attendees will receive a link to the program via email the day of the program.
This program is co-presented by the Meriden Historical Society and the Meriden Public Library.Â
CANCELLED – BUSTER KEATON – THE GREATEST OF THE SILENT CLOWNS
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 6:30 p.m. Meriden Public Library 105 Miller St., Meriden, CT
Three silent comedians ruled the silver screen before the arrival of sound to the movies: Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton. Dr. Sherwin Borsuk, president of the Meriden Historical Society and a Keaton aficionado, will present Buster Keaton – his life and phenomenal acrobatic movie achievements. The talk will be accompanied by stills and short movie clips.
Admission
is free. Refreshments will be served.
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CANCELLED: HUBBARD PARK – PART I
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 6:30 p.m. Meriden Public Library 105 Miller St., Meriden, CT
Justin Piccirillo, a member of the Meriden Historical Society, educator, author, illustrator and a Meriden history buff will present the first in the series of 3 talks about Hubbard Park. This talk will cover the period of the park up to WW-II. Mr. Piccirillo has been researching the History of the park and is in the process of publishing a book based on his research. The public is invited to come, share, listen and view and learn about the History, the facts and the legends associated with the park.
Free admission. Refreshments will be served.
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SOUTH MERIDEN’S HANOVER TROLLEY PARK – Cancelled
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 6:30 p.m. Meriden Public Library 105 Miller St., Meriden, CT
Lesley Solkoske, Meriden Historical Society’s vice president and Hanover Park researcher, invites the public to join her in a visual walk (and talk) through the park, its history and its various attractions as captured in photographs, postcards and maps. Situated at the end of Meriden’s trolley line, Hanover Park was Meriden’s main attractions and a state wide amusement destination in the late 1800s early 1900s.
Free admission. Refreshments will be served.
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VICE IN MERIDEN – the Products and Services for Smoking Drinking Gambling and More in Meriden’s Past – Cancelled
Every Sunday in May, (3, 10, 17, 24 & 31) 11:00 am – 3:00 p.m. Open House and Special Exhibit at the Meriden Historical Society’s Museum, the Andrews Homestead, 424 W. Main St, Meriden
Visit a Colonial era home. The Andrews Homestead was built in 1770 and is the only museum in Meriden dedicated to the history of our city, and its industry. The museum is chuck full of artifacts, many of which were recently added to the collection. Our May Open House will feature a special exhibit dedicated to the many items produced here, items representing indulgence and vice.
Admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted and will help support our mission to preserve Meriden’s past for future generations.
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