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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April-May, 2022
SHADOWS OVER DAWNLAND
Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 6:00 PM in the Lecture Hall of the Meriden Historical Society’s new History Center 39-41 West Main Street, downtown Meriden & Zoom
James T. Powers, author of Shadows Over Dawnland will discuss the historical experience of the Quinnipiac people during the first fifty years of the English colonization of their ancestral home, the Dawnland, 350 years ago. Book signing following the lecture. This lecture is free and open to the public. Zoom registration is required. To register, go to our website https://MeridenHistoricalSociety.org and follow the link. Sincere thanks to the Meriden Public Library for hosting the registration on their event scheduler.
GRAND OPENING & OPEN HOUSE OF THE MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S HISTORY CENTER
Sunday, April 24, Noon – 4:00 PM 39-41 W. Main Street, downtown Meriden – featuring displays of Meriden’s Places, People & Products. Free ice cream cones to the first 250 attendees, courtesy of the YMCA and ZAHA Ice Cream Shop. This fun event is free and open to the public.
OPEN HOUSE AT THE MOSES ANDREWS HOMESTEAD, the Meriden Historical Society’s Museum
Every Sunday in May 11:00 – 3:00 located at 424 West Main Street, Meriden The museum will be open to the public May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th.. On display are items highlighting Meriden’s rich manufacturing history. Admission is free, donations will be appreciated.
MEET MIKE ZAFFINO OUR ADMINISTRATOR
Michael J. Zaffino came to Meriden Historical Society via the great resignation movement occurring in the U.S. during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Previously, he was a Reading Specialist at Bunnell High School in Stratford. He has over 30 years of experience in education, working in both private and public schools. He holds a M.S. in History from Southern Connecticut State University and has taught a variety of history classes to middle school, high school and college students. Mike resides in West Haven with his wife, Lynn, daughter, Michaela, and a mixed breed rescue named Oakley. He has officially adopted the city of Meriden as his personal sister city. In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, walking, reading, movies, sports, gardening, and going to tag sales.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
As a result of moving, we have fallen behind on our responses to research inquiries and on organization of items. We could really use more volunteers. If you can help, please call Ruth Borsuk at 203-464-2751, or Mike Z, our administrator, at 203-634-1913 or 475-775-5049. Volunteers can now access our 41 W. Main location every day except Monday.
GRANTS
We’d like to recognize the following organizations for their generous grant contributions: The CUNO Foundation, Meriden Economic Development Co., and CT Humanities.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
Michael Lafreniere of Tacoma, WA
Robert & Janet Mule of Wallingford, CT
Maura Santoni of Newport News, VA
Sharon and David Smith of Meriden, CT
Jewel Stern of Coral Gables, FL
Efrain Valintin of Meriden, CT
Valentin Karate of Meriden, CT
Mike, Lynn & Michaela Zaffino of West Haven, CT
WE THANK OUR CORPORATE SUPPORTERS
Jonal Laboratories
456 Center St., Meriden CT
203-634-4444
Mahon, Quinn & Mahon, P.C.
636 Broad St., Meriden, CT
203-238-1010
Meriden Memorial Funeral Home
450 Broad St., Meriden CT 06450
203-235-9181
Mule Security & Electric Inc.
113 Broad St., Meriden CT
203-238-7561
New England Capital
Financial Advisors LLC
79 Main St., Meriden, CT
203-935-0265
Plimpton & Hills Corp.
300 Research Pkwy, Meriden CT 06450
860-694-9180
The Russell Hall Company
19 N. George St., Meriden, CT
203-235-6391
Suzio Insurance Center, Inc.
54 Chamberlain Hwy., Meriden, CT
203-237-7403
Tuxis Ohr’s Fuel
80 Britannia St. Meriden, CT
203-639-3513
Valentin Karate
75 S. Colony St. Meriden, CT 06450
203-238-0427
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.
MAY 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS
THE FACES OF HUBBARD PARK – The Men and Women Behind the Making of a Masterpiece
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.
This program will be presented on Zoom and also streamed to the Meriden Historical Society’s Facebook page https://fb/me/e/GlwN7q4B
Please RSVP your attendance on Zoom at
https://tini.cc/mhs-hubbardpark
Registered attendees will receive a link to the program via email the day of the program.
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VICE IN MERIDEN – Smoking Drinking Gambling MERIDEN ITEMS For Bad Habits
is our current exhibit AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD located at 424 W. Main Street and sharing a parking lot with Benjamin Franklin School. Designed as a self guided tour, the exhibit features items made in Meriden or for Meriden, for use with bad habits which, done to excess, are considered vices. The exhibit will be open to the public EVERY SUNDAY IN MAY – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM & on Saturday, June 12th as part of the CT Open House program.
Observing COVID-19 safety recommendations, social distancing, wearing of masks and a limitation on number of groups in the building, will be strictly enforced.
A walk-through VIDEO of the exhibit, narrated by Sherwin Borsuk and captured by videographer Marcus Hamilton, will be available on our YouTube Channel
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LIVE THE STORY – A WALK THROUGH HUBBARD PARK With Justin Piccirillo is scheduled for Saturday, June 12 (rain date Sunday, June 13) 2021 at 10:00 AM
Meet at Hubbard Park’s parking lot for a walk through the lower park. Justin’s newly-released book “Hubbard Park,†will be available for purchase.
This is a free program. Donations are welcome.
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THE MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY COMMUNITY TAG SALE FUND RAISER
Will be held at the Society’s Bernice Morehouse Research Center parking lot (1090 Hanover Ave, Meriden) Starting on May 15th 2021 and every 2nd Saturday of the month starting June 12th on, weather permitting, with a rain date on the following Saturday.
Setting up is open to the public at a cost of $15.00 per set-up ($10.00 for members of the Meriden Historical Society).
For more information please contact our board member Peter Slavinski at 203-721-4640.
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NAPIER BOARD OF DIRECTORS TABLE DONATED TO THE MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY BY ION BANK
In an extraordinary gesture, Ion bank has donated the exquisite board of directors table of Meriden’s Napier Company, thus returning the table to Meriden. Originally, the oversized table was given to Meriden’s Castle Bank where it was used until the bank was acquired by Ion (then Naugatuck Savings) Bank.
We hope to be able to display and use this historic table in the near future.
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WE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBER
Arthur Dutra III of Meriden CT
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FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK
All who voted for the Meriden Historical Society at the Ion Bank Community Award Program. Thanks to your supporting vote, the Society received a $400.00 check from Ion Bank.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS
Hergott Dental Associates
166 S. Broad St., Meriden CT
203-235-3738
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Jonal Laboratories
456 Center St., Meriden CT
203-634-4444
***
Mahon, Quinn & Mahon, P.C.
636 Broad St., Meriden, CT
203-238-1010
***
Mule Security & Electric Inc.
113 Broad St., Meriden CT
203-238-7561
***
New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC
79 Main St., Meriden, CT
203-935-0265
***
The Russell Hall Company
19 N. George St, Meriden, CT
203-235-6391
***
Suzio Insurance Center, Inc.
54 Chamberlain Hwy., Meriden, CT
203-237-7403
***
Tuxis Ohr’s Fuel
80 Britannia St. Meriden, CT
203-639-3513
MARCH 2020
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. Sherwin Borsuk MD, 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.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS:
• Historic Hubbard Park – Part I with Justin Piccirillo
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 6:30 pm at the Meriden Public Library.
• South Meriden’s Hanover Trolley Park with Lesley Solkoske
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 6:30 pm at the Meriden Public Library.
• Vice in Meriden – the Products and Services for Smoking Drinking Gambling and More in Meriden’s Past – Open House and Special Exhibit
Every Sunday in May (3, 10, 17, 24 & 31) 11:00 am – 3:00 at the Meriden Historical Society’s Museum, the Andrews Homestead, 424 W. Main St, Meriden, CT.
ANDREWS HOMESTEAD CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS – A FOLLOW UP
Our Christmas Open House (12/7&8/2019) was a heartwarming success. Close to 200 people came through the exhibit, many visiting for the first time. Not only did they enjoy the decorations, but they also learned about the history of Meriden and its manufacturers. The door prize, a generous donation by the Thompson Chocolate Co. was won by Lynn Dean.
BEN FRANKLIN SCHOOL 5TH GRADE GIRLS CLUB HELP DECORATE THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD
The Society, in partnership with Ben Franklin School, welcomed the 5th Grade Girls Club. They brought with them a variety of hand-crafted ornaments to decorate our Christmas tree. They also showed an interest in hearing about Meriden’s past and were given a tour of the Homestead. In return, the Society gave them a souvenir ornament as a token of our appreciation.
LATEST ADDITIONS TO OUR COLLECTIONS
An acquisition fund has been established from the proceeds of the sale of items from The Lester Dequaine and Frank Chiarenza collections. Those collections were given to the Society for the purpose of fundraising. The Collections Committee has been busy acquiring items to add to our permanent collection.
New additions to the Bradley & Hubbard display: We now have a 12†statuette entitled “le Gamin†which depicts a young boy who looks like a street urchin from the 1800s. There is also a cast iron, japanned finished shelf clock with gold and floral stenciling.
You may remember seeing a large, framed drawing of a clock in the form of a soldier wearing a wig and three-cornered or “cocked†hat, with his hands holding a clock face in his belly.
This drawing was done in 1856 by Pietro Cinquinni and accompanied his patent application. These clocks were known as “Blinking Eye†or “Winker†clocks because the eyes moved via a connection to the clock mechanism. We have always wanted to find one of these clocks for our display and now we have one! Ours is missing its mechanism; however, it is the cast iron figure of “The Continentalâ€. It was manufactured by Bradley & Hubbard and is worth seeing.
Our clock was produced prior to the granting of the patent and is marked in the base as “Patent Pending 1856†and “PCF,†presumably signifying Pietro Cinquinni. Design Patent No. 916 was issued in 1857 and subsequent clocks were marked “Patented July 14, 1857.†The hat portion of the clock case is independent from the rest of the casting. This allowed B&H to substitute a different hat on the same body and offer the clock as “the Admiralâ€. An example of this design is included in the collections of the Smithsonian.
New additions to the Silver City Glass Co. display case 
include a frosted glass bowl & candlestick console set donated by a Society member. A black glass box in their early “Daisy†pattern was also purchased for the collection.
We have added a cobalt blue, medium sized dresser box with a “blown out†zinnia flower on the cover, done by the C. F. Monroe Co. This acquisition was made possible through the Don & Carol Lyle Fund.
Thompson Chocolate Co. 
has generously donated some of their outdated candy molds. They are now on permanent display at the Andrews Homestead. These and other newly acquired items will be on display at our Museum’s upcoming May Open House & Special Exhibit event (Every Sunday in May, 11:00 – 3:00, at the Andrews Homestead, 424 W. Main St.).
HELP US PRESERVE MERIDEN’S PAST
There are so many Meriden related items waiting to be discovered. Items from any of the Meriden manufacturers, old sales catalogs and advertising items, photos showing street scenes and buildings are especially interesting. Even things that may seem insignificant can be an insight into the past. If you are in the process of downsizing or wondering what to do with Meriden related items, be sure to contact us at our email address: meridenhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or by phone: 203-639-1913 (please leave a message).
UNDERCLIFF SANATORIUM: INFORMATION WANTED Our member Eileen Sypher had sent us the following call for help: “I am writing a book on my father who spent a year at Undercliff in 1951-2 for his tuberculosis. He died in 1952 before he could tell me about his life there. I am eager to hear from anyone who had a relative or friend there while it was a tuberculosis sanatorium—do you have stories? Letters? Photos? Any tidbit most welcome! In my writing I will mention no names, of course, should you share with me. I am eager to restore these forgotten histories that are a part of so many lives and of Meriden’s past. Rev. Dr. Eileen Sypher. Email: esypher@comcast.net or call 860-391-1860 and leave a message.â€
We hope you or someone you know can help.
WE NOTE WITH SORROW THE PASSING OF OUR MEMBERS:
Lawrence McLane Morehouse
Walter Shamock
FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK:
Jacquelyn Beale, Sherwin & Ruth Borsuk, Bruce and Suzana Burchsted, Michael & Lizbeth Cardona, Ellen Carter, William Glick, Gregg D. Hugo, Judith Laczek, Robert Marchetti, Dan Metz, Diantha Morse, Joan M. Munger in memory of Leon Bartholomew, Robert B. Siegler, The Suzio Insurance Center Inc., Philip Toussaint, Tuxis Ohr’s Fuel, Suzanne Zajac, our anonymous donor at Your Cause, and the many visitors to the Andrews Homestead and to the Bernice Morehouse Research Center. Donations in Memory of Larry McLane Morehouse were received from: Arnold Bloch, Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc., Joseph Lanterna, John & Martha McCarthy and Susan Webber
WE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS:
Barbara Austen and Family, June Banack, Michael Banack, Michael Cardona & Family, Hergott Dental, Jonal Laboratories, Jocelyn S. Linnekin, Darrell Lucas, Robert Marchetti, The Russell Hall Co., Eileen Sypher, Cindy & Bob Tencza & Family, and Tuxis Ohr’s Fuel.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS
Hergott Dental Associates
166 S. Broad St., Meriden CT
203-235-3738
www.hergottdental.com
Jonal Laboratories
456 Center St., Meriden CT
203-634-4444
www.jonal.com
Mahon, Quinn & Mahon, P.C.
636 Broad St., Meriden, CT
203-238-1010
www.mqmlawyer.com
Nest Egg Auctions
758 Four Rod Rd., Berlin, CT
203-630-1400
www.nesteggauctions.com
New England Capital
Financial Advisors LLC
79 Main St., Meriden, CT
203-935-0265
www.newenglandcapital.com
Record Journal
500 S. Broad St., Meriden, CT
203-317-2407
www.myrecordjournal.com
The Russell Hall Company
19 N. George St, Meriden, CT
203-235-6391
www.Russellhall.com
Spoonshoppe Brooke Deli
1320 E. Main St., Meriden, CT
203-630-3354
www.spoonshoppe.com
Suzio Insurance Center, Inc.
54 Chamberlain Hwy., Meriden, CT
203-237-7403
www.suzioinsurance.com
Tuxis Ohr’s Fuel
80 Britannia St. Meriden, CT
203-639-3513
www.tuxisfuel.com
NOVEMBER 2019
HISTORIC FICTION AS A PORTAL TO THE PAST: The Lyman Family of Lyman Orchards
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 6:30 p.m. Meriden Public Library 105 Miller St., Meriden, CT
Meet author Diana Ross McCain as she discusses her new novel Thy Children’s Children, based on the true story of the first five generations of the Lyman family of Lyman Orchards of Middlefield, CT, as an example of how well-researched historical fiction both entertains and informs. Books (hard cover, 634 pages) will be available for purchase and book-signing ($20.00 includes CT sales tax). This program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library and the Meriden Historical Society. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.
ANDREWS HOMESTEAD CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS
Join us Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. to tour one of Meriden’s oldest homes, all dressed up for the holidays.
FUNDrive – SAVERS FUNDRAISER
Thanks to your generosity, we collected and turned in over 700 lbs of soft items. Sincere thanks to all who dropped off clothing and other soft goods for this fundraiser.
FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK:
Arthur Bell, Ollie Collins, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Corte, Sandra Ennever, Eugene Glen, Don Lyle, Neda Weathers, Our Anonymous Donor at Your Cause, and to the visitors to the Andrews Homestead and the Bernice Morehouse Research Center.
MERIDEN HALL OF FAME:
George S. Jeffrey was inducted to the Meriden Hall of Fame in the Historical Person Category. Dr. Sherwin Borsuk, president of the Meriden Historical Society, presented and accepted the honor.
The three other inductees to this year’s Meriden Hall of Fame were Major Dr. E. Robert Bertolli O.D. in the category of Science and Medicine; Joan Edgerly in the category of Community Service, and Stanley Hancock in the category of Business and Commerce.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS
Mahon, Quinn & Mahon, P.C.
636 Broad St., Meriden, CT
203-238-1010
***
Nest Egg Auctions
758 Four Rod Rd., Berlin, CT
203-630-1400
***
New England Capital
Financial Advisors LLC
79 Main St., Meriden, CT
203-935-0265
***
Record Journal
500 S. Broad St., Meriden, CT
203-317-2407
***
Spoonshoppe Brooke Deli
1320 E. Main St., Meriden, CT
203-630-3354
***
Suzio Insurance Center, Inc.
54 Chamberlain Hwy., Meriden, CT
203-237-7403
***
OCTOBER 2019
UPCOMING PROGRAM:
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019
6:30 p.m.
Meriden Public Library
105 Miller St., Meriden, CT
MAKING HISTORY / MAKING PLACE: A CELEBRATION OF CONNECTICUT MUSEUMS
Picture Show and Lecture with William Hosley.
Connecticut has 169 towns and as many community-based historical museums. Most are small. Many are run by volunteers. No two are alike. They preserve & present great local stuff and stories. They collect. They offer public programs. They advocate for preservation. They serve schools and greet tourists. They are a civic miracle. This is their story and why they matter.
This program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Historical Society and the Meriden Public Library. The program is free and open to the general public.
OUR MUSEUM’S OCTOBER OPEN HOUSE & SPECIAL EXHIBIT:
THOMPSON CHOCOLATE Celebrating the 140th Anniversary of Meriden’s Chocolatier
- SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 13, 20 & 27
- 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- The Andrews Homestead – Meriden Historical Society Museum, 424 West Main St., Meriden, CT
Andrews Homestead, Meriden Historical Society Museum, will be open to the public every Sunday in October from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dedicated to the history of our city’s manufacturing era, the museum is chuck-full of examples of items made here in town. Come see our newest acquisitions.
OUR SPECIAL EXHIBIT THIS YEAR is dedicated to THOMPSON CHOCOLATE in conjunction with the company’s 140th anniversary.
The Andrews Homestead shares a parking lot with Benjamin Franklin School. By permission of the Police Department, for this exhibit – Sundays only, you may disregard the “do-not-enter†sign posted at the entrance to the parking lot.
We will be raffling a Thompson Chocolate basket on each of the open house dates.
Admission is free – donations are always appreciated.
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT:
I am writing to introduce myself, Sherwin Borsuk, as incoming president of the Meriden Historical Society (The Society), and to let you know what we are up to this year.
Our board of directors is engaged in the revision of the bylaws and the formalization of the standing committees.
The standing committees will be:
- Marketing and Public Relations – promote and publicize events, provide access to media, and maintain The Society website and bulletin.
- Membership – promote new membership, maintaining member records and renewals, as well as thanking donors.
- Collections Management – acquire items for The Society’s collections, keep records of holdings, and sell or donate items not related to the mission of The Society.
- Programs – arrange for 5-6 speaker programs yearly, coordinating site, equipment and refreshments, as well as arranging exhibits at The Society’s museum (Andrews Homestead).
- Facilities – maintain and improve The Society’s properties.
- Grants – apply for grants as directed by the board of directors and report the status of grant monies to the board and grantor(s).
- Nominating – nominate board members and officers annually and provide biographies to the Secretary.
- Tag Sales – coordinate, staff, and publicize the summer tag sale fundraisers.
- Finance – steward the financial assets of The Society, investments, real estate, etc.
You, as a member of The Society, are encouraged to join any of the standing committees that appeal to you. Your participation will enhance the vitality of our organization. The work of The Society is never-ending and the various committees outlined above can always use more hands.
If you are interested in joining one of the committees, please e-mail me at meridenhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or leave me a message at 203-639-1913
We will be having a continued series of talks in partnership with the Meriden Pubic Library. Please see our newsletter or our website (www.meridenhistoricalsociety.org) for updated details.
Our Fall exhibit at the Andrews Homestead is devoted to Meriden’s Thompson Chocolate Company, founded in 1879. Rumor has it that there will be free samples of Thompson products (according to Mayor Kevin Scarpati). You are encouraged to come and enjoy it!
Finally, we are currently looking for a larger home for our research center here in Meriden, as our research and other materials have us bursting at the seams. Sometime in the near future we hope to find a suitable solution be it a new location or a major expansion and we’ll likely need to have a fundraising campaign to enable us to afford a larger home.
As always, your support of the Meriden Historical Society is, and will be, greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Sherwin Borsuk
NEWS FROM THE ARCHIVES: Rockwell and silver city Overlay by: Paul S. Butkus
Meriden was home to several silver overlay companies, most notably the Rockwell Silver Company and the Silver City Glass Company. There are references to other companies producing silver overlay in Meriden but none to the same extent or notoriety. Overlay companies did not produce their own glass but rather decorated pieces made by the large glass, china or ceramic companies and the same blanks were frequently used by competing overlay companies. The use of the same blanks, paper labels or similarly themed designs can often complicate the proper attribution for some pieces. As a result, collectors often identify a piece simply by the glass manufacturer due to the greater availability of information on those companies. Another complicating factor in overlay identification is the way in which some patterns were adapted to varying sized pieces. The overall composition was cropped as needed to fit smaller pieces.
A case in point… (Click here to read the complete article and see all images associated with it)
FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK:
- Don Lyle for his donation of C. F. Monroe Co. research material. The comprehensive research material came from the collection of Don’s wife, Carrol of blessed memory.
- Andy Piatek who lent us some of his Silver Overlay catalogs so that we could digitize/copy them and add them to our collection of reference catalogs.
- All our friends who have been bringing items of Meriden interest to the Research Center.
- All who supported us by bringing items for our tag-sale booth and for our Savers Fund Raiser event.
- Our Anonymous Donor at Your Cause.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Our November Lecture will take place on
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
6:30 p.m.
Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St., Meriden, CT
HISTORICAL FICTION AS A PORTAL TO THE PAST. A PROGRAM ABOUT A NEW NOVEL BASED ON THE TRUE STORY OF THE LYMAN FAMILY OF LYMAN ORCHARDS with author Diana Ross McCain.
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