Spring Exhibit! There to Here: Meriden’s Immigration Story

There to Here: Meriden’s Immigration Story explores the rich and complex history of immigration to Meriden. From its earliest days to the present, Meriden has been shaped by people arriving from near and far, each group bringing traditions, skills, languages, and stories that have helped define the city we know today. This exhibit will trace those journeys and highlight how immigration is not a single moment in history, but an ongoing story of change, resilience, and community.

Visitors will learn about the waves of Irish, Italian, Polish, and other Eastern and Southern European immigrants who arrive in the 19th and early 20th centuries, many drawn by opportunities in manufacturing, particularly the silver and metal trades. The exhibit will also explore the experiences of African Americans as well as later arrivals from Puerto Rico, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and beyond. Through photographs, personal objects, and oral histories, these stories come together to show how newcomers built neighborhoods, churches, businesses, cultural organizations, and social traditions. Each generation leaves its mark, shaping the city’s economy, culture, and sense of belonging. By sharing these stories, we invite visitors to see Meriden not just as a place on a map, but as a living community continually renewed by the people who choose to call it home. We look forward to welcoming you to this exhibit and continuing the conversation about Meriden’s past, present, and future.  Please see our website for tour days and times.  This exhibit is on display through August of 2026.