The Irish Immigration Experience

 in News & Events

41 W Main Street Thursday March 27th at 6:30 PM

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“.

Sanctuaries of Diversity: The Role of Houses of Worship in the Immigration Story of Meriden

 in News & Events

Thursday February 27th at 6:30 at 41 W Main

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.Register here. Come early and see our new West Gallery, Polished Perspectives: The Art of International Silver. The new gallery is truly beautiful.

The Making of Meriden: Our Colonial Past

 in News & Events

Thursday January 23rd at 6:30 at 41 Main Street

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.

Gingerbread Houses Are Back!

 in News & Events

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

 in News & Events

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

 in News & Events

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.

Fall 2024 Museum Musings

 in Newsletters


Featured Event Weekend Cemetery Tours
Who’s Buried Where and Why Should We Care? Part 2

Join us for our second annual series of walking tours, led by current and former MHS 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. Registration is required for each event. You will receive an email with all the registration specifics next week. Check Facebook, here, or your monthly email for registration detials after September 4th.. We sold out last year. Please reserve early.
Individual
October 5th Walnut Grove – Part 2 South Colony Street
October 12th Sacred Heart – Part 2 South Broad Street
October 13th Temple B’nai Abraham Corrigan Avenue
October 19th Saint Laurent Hanover Avenue
October 26th Saint Stanislaus Ann St. Extension
Series Get the series instead of registering individually

DOLLTOBER at the Andrews Homestead. Every Sunday in October 11-3 at the Andrews Homestead
Please join us as the White Oaks Doll Club in partnership with the Meriden Historical Society presents an exhibit on dolls through time. From the handcrafted dolls of the early colonial period to the mass -produced plastic figures of the modern era, this exhibit features a diverse array of dolls that showcase shifts in design, fashion, and societal values. This is a self-guided tour. No registration is required, suggested donation $5. We will have a lecture on Dolls on September 26th at 6:30. See events.

Other Fall Events
September 19th Annual Meeting (members only) 5:30-6:15 at 41 W Main Street
Look for your invitation as the date draws closer. While we do not vote for officers and directors this year, we do present reports. The meeting will be followed by the soft opening reception for the East Gallery, What Meriden Made, Made Meriden. Delve into the rich industrial heritage of Meriden, and explore companies that shaped both our local identity as well as the broader American landscape. This gallery showcases not only the artifacts, but fascinating nuggets of information surrounding those companies.
Please make sure you RSVP to your invitation next week so we have an accurate count for the wine and cheese reception that follows the business meeting. You may also reserve your place now at the reception by clicking here.

Thursday September 26th Dolls: More than Child’s Play 6:30-7:30 at 41 W Main Street
Join Brayton Price as he shares how toys hold meanings for individuals, groups and communities that transcend generations and reveal insight into the era in which they were created and enjoyed. This is our introduction to our upcoming exhibit on Dolls which will open in October. Register HERE.

Starting Tuesday October 1st Adult Education Series: Meriden Past to Present Part II with Justin Piccirillo. As with the last series you may register individually by session or for the entire series 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.
Register for the Series HERE. All 8 sessions starting Tuesday Oct 1 and repeating weekly until Nov 19. $99
Individual Sessions $15 each
Oct 1 Meriden and Music Register HERE.
Oct 8 Meriden and Sports Register HERE.
Oct 15 Meriden and War Register HERE.
Oct 22 Meriden and the White House Register HERE.
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.

Saturday November 9th Door Swags at the Andrews Homestead
Join us for a fall workshop making holiday door swags. Registration and pre-payment for materials is required as we do need to purchase the supplies ahead of time. Registration will open in October. Check Facebook, he monthly email for October or here after October 1st for details on price and the link to register.


Thursday November 21st Culinary Crossroads: Why Food Matters 6:30-7:30 at 41 W Main

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. Click HERE to register.

Winter Preview
December 1st COMMUNITY PROJECT Help us build our first cookbook, Historical Flavors: A Taste of Meriden. We will collect recipes to produce our first cookbook. Along with your recipe, we would like you to tell us why the recipe is meaningful to your family so we can get the full flavor of Meriden’s rich cultural landscape. We do ask that recipes, if possible, be sent in digital format so that we can edit for the cookbook more easily. We encourage pictures of the food as well. You may email your recipes, stories and pictures to info@meridenhistsoc.org with the subject line “cookbook.” Please be sure to give us your full name, the name of the recipe, the recipe itself, the story of why this particular dish is important to you and a picture if available.

December 7th Yule Fest 10-3
Make sure you stop by and get your stamp and see our exhibits.


December 14th Gingerbread House Workshop 10-1 at the Andrews Homestead
Joins us for our second gingerbread extravaganza. We were at capacity last year so get your tickets early! Ticket sales will not open until November and will close on November 27th as we have to buy the materials far ahead of time. Check on Facebook, the montly email or back here for registration and pricing.


January 25th West Gallery Grand Opening INTERNATIONAL SILVER: An Odyssey of Shine and Story
Join us at 6:30 for the opening of our new gallery devoted to the history of International Silver and stay for a great lecture afterward on Meriden’s early history with the Wallingford Historical Society.

January 25th Meriden in the 18th Century 6:30 at 41 W Main
Join us at the Wallingford Historical Society presents our shared colonial past in the 18th century.


February 27th Sanctuaries of Diversity 6:30 at 41 W Main
Listen as Martha Coloresi shares her research on houses of worship throughout the history of Meriden and how religion has played an important part in the development of our community.

New Exhibits Opening in the Spring
Andrews Homestead PEEK INTO THE PAST: A Retrospective of Meriden History
Walk through time starting before we were Meriden and end up in the 1940’s. It’s an all-new Andrews and you are going to want to see it!

Summer Events Recap
Trail of Tears Trail of Tears Touring Company presented a moving dramatic presentation of Julian Water’s book of the same name.
Adult Education Justin Piccirillo presented a series of eight lectures on Meriden’s History. See the details of his next series coming in October
Puerto Rican Experience – Our August lecture on the history of the Puerto Rican diaspora.
Education Initiative
We continued our regular visits to grade 4 and 5 classrooms and had field trips to both the Andrews Homestead and the Connecticut Museum of Culture in June. We also worked with Meriden teachers at the New Haven Museum as they unpacked the new social standards for the state.

Please follow us on Social Media for the latest updates to our schedule.

New Members
We welcome the following new members!
Jeffrey Snow Sandra Ulbrich


Thank you for donating to collections! June 1-Aug 31
Sherwin and Ruth Borsuk Carol McCann
Paul S. Butkus Alice Meigs
Katherine Carpenter Lisa Mesite
Samuel C Carr Jane Rancourt
Mark Champion Chris Ruel
Janet Chodkowski Chester Rynaski
Gayle L. Gifford Brian Shea
Joyce Gomez Sharon Smith
Jeffrey Griffin Lesley Solkoske
June Ann Hentz-Fike Thomas Wakefield Wilcox
Nancy Jurgot Young

Meriden Museum 41 West Main
Fall Hours through December 20, 2024
Tuesday 9:00-2:00 By appointment
Wednesday 9:00- 2:00 Open, no appointment necessary
Thursdays 1:00-8:00 Closed 1st Thursday (9/5, 10/3, 11/7 12/5)
Friday 9:00-2:00 By Appointment
Saturday 41 W Main Open the following Saturdays in September 9/14, 9/28. There are no October Saturday hours due to the Doll Exhibit on Sundays in October at the Andrews and the Saturday Cemetery Tours. Open 11/23.
Closed for Thanksgiving Nov 28-Dec 2
Closed for Winter Holidays Dec 21- Jan 6

Andrews Homestead
Sundays 10/5,12,19,26 11-3 Dolltober
Saturday 11/9 10-2 Holiday Swags Workshop
Saturday 12/14 10-2 Ginger Bread House Workshop

Our Sponsors and Supporters
*APEC Electric * L. Suzio Insurance Center,
45 Shuler Ln 54 Chamberlain Hwy.
Durham CT 06422 Meriden CT 0645
203-238-0427 203-237-7403
https://www.apecelectricct.com/ www.Suzioinsurance.com
*Jonal Laboratories * Tunxis Ohr’s Fuel
456 Center St. 80 Britannia St.
Meriden CT 06451 Meriden CT 06451
203-634-4444 www.tuxisfuel.com3
https://www.jonal.com/
LaRosa Construction, *Plimpton & Hills
538 Preston Ave #303 300 Research Parkway
Meriden, CT 06451 Meriden, CT 06450
(203) 237-5409 www.plimptonhills.com860
http://www.larosaconstructionco.com/
*Mahon, Quinn & Mahon, P.C. *Mule Security & Electric Inc.
636 Broad St. 113 Broad St.
Meriden CT 06450 Meriden CT 06450
203-238-1010 203-238-7561
WWW.mqmlawyer.com www.mulesecurity.com
-639-3513
*Meriden Memorial Funeral Home John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral
450 Broad St. Home
Meriden CT 06450 88 E. Main Street
203-235-9181 Meriden, CT 06450
www.meridenmemorialfh.com 203-235-3338
www.jfferryfh.com
New England Capital -522-4233

Dolls: Not Just Child’s Play

 in News & Events

Thursday September 26 at 6:30 at 41 W Main Street

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.

Meriden Past to Present with Justin Piccirillo

 in News & Events

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.