We’ve Come a Long Way… Maybe The Changing Role of Women in Meriden Since 1900n
Join us for our Spring Exhibit in partnership with Girls, Inc. The opening reception is Friday March 1st at 6:00 PM to coincide with the beginning of Women’s History month. You must make a reservation to attend the opening reception. Click here to reserve.
This exhibit chronicles the lives of women since 1900 through the three areas, women at work, women at play and women at home. It features local women who made a difference in Meriden during this period. After seeing the exhibit, you are invited to share your story of what it means to be a woman in Meriden today with the Leadership Teens from Girls, Inc. in the East Gallery. The Exhibit will be on display through May during our regular hours and on the first Sunday of each month.
At The Andrews Homestead
Saturday May 4th 1-3
Grow Your Own Herb Garden
Join us at the Homestead as we create an herb garden
reminiscent of colonial times for you to bring home with
Open House at the Andrews Be the first to see our new exhibits and stories Tours at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00. Sign up here.
Spring Lecture Series
4th Thursday of the month starting at 6:30 at 41 W Main Street
Thursday March 28th Are you interested in an upcoming Meriden history lesson? How about this – Hubbard Park Part II, with more Secrets Revealed? Due to space requirements, there was so much information that had to be excluded with the first book, Images of America: Hubbard Park, that Justin Piccirillo would like to entertain you with several new and untold tales of the park. In addition, it provides a teaser to his upcoming book, Hidden History of Meriden. Trust me! You are not going to want to miss this!
Thursday April 25th “Connecticut in Motion: How Four Centuries of Transportation Have Shaped Our State.” Richard DeLuca will talk about the importance of transportation as a force of history, and highlight the various stages of transportation development in Connecticut, from stagecoaches on the original Post Road, to steamboats, railroads, electric trolleys and of course the automobile in the twentieth century. He will end with a short discussion of the impact of climate change on transportation and Connecticut’s future. Attached are cover images of my two books, and one of myself. The second volume “Paved Roads & Public Money” will be for sale at the meeting, received the Connecticut Book Award from the Humanities Council.
Thursday May 23rd Girls, Inc will present the oral histories they took throughout the Spring Exhibit from current Meriden women who came to the exhibit. Members of the Meriden chapter of Girls, Inc., spent time during the current exhibit, “We’ve Come a Long Way…Maybe: The Changing Role of Women in Meriden Since 1900” collecting the stories of women who visited the exhibit. They will share the perspectives of female visitors to the exhibition on what it is like to be a woman today here in Meriden. Their narrative will share the stories as we take a glimpse at their lives and experiences.
We had a full house at the Andrews Homestead for our first Gingerbread House Workshop on December 9th. Here are some samples of their work. Carol Murdock, a master baker and creator of Gingerbread houses for the Wadsworth Atheneum and the State House was our guide.
Meriden K12 Public School Outreach
The Society currently visits fourth and fifth grade classrooms on a monthly basis to present lessons which incorporate objects from our collection and helps us develop our next generation of history lovers. In this lesson students look at the map of the Oregon Trail before going to the gym where they have a list of items to pick and actual items from the collection. They must fill their wagon; the outline on the library floor, and not go over their weight limit of 2000 pounds.
Holiday Get Together for Volunteers and Board
A new holiday tradition was started with a holiday get together
to thank our awesome volunteers and dedicated Board members for all
their hard work during the year.
Meriden Fast Forward
Our contest closed On December 1st and the winning photographs and essays were featured at our February 22nd presentation. The First Prize (photo to the left) went to Madison Lionello. Read her essay on the next page.
Fast Forward First Prize – Madison Lionello
One of the most impactful events in history during the 21st century was the Coronavirus outbreak. The state Department of Health and Human Services reported more than 3,000 positive tests, with 100 deaths in Meriden, 12 months after the virus was introduced to the United States. Many more of our friends and family got the virus, and some, unfortunately passed away because of it. Before COVID, we haven’t experienced a global pandemic since the flu in 1968. This virus shutdown our social lives and changed everything.
For a long time, the truth was unknown. We were quarantined for months on end and our “freedom” was far from us. During this period, everyone was required to wear a mask when leaving the house. Any signs of sickness were taken with serious precautions. Many become unemployed with the pandemic destroying businesses. The virus altered our economy, and as if we weren’t already buying enough products online, Americans became increasingly reliant on online shopping.
Once the vaccination was released, pure chaos started up again. Debates on whether or not to receive it, or which companies vaccine to get, filled the news reports. Some were required to get it, others refused. The COVID-19 vaccine is a major component to the future. Will everyone take it as babies like they do the smallpox vaccine? Is it actually helpful, or just there to ease our minds? Will there be any side effects in the future? This question especially worries me, because we won’t know until later on. A hundred years from now, scientists will probably have the answers, but for now, all we can do is hope for the best.
Whenever I see a mask now, all I can think about are the difficult times that we endured. Despite all that was happening around us, school still continued. We tried to proceed as normal to show that we were still strong. This just goes to show how important education is.
Even though we were at risk of getting sick or contaminating others, we continued our learning. We found ways to make it work; whether that be through online video chats or by wearing a mask and maintaining our distance. This truly represents Meriden. We will go the miles to build a foundation for a successful future. Together, we were able to move forward. Together, we stayed strong. And together, we survived the pandemic.
The Coronavirus pandemic will be talked about for generations. We’ll never forget being shut away from the outside world. Things will never go back to what they were in the years leading up to the pandemic. We are much more cautious and aware of our health and have developed natural reactions to situations, such as maintaining our distance from someone who sneezes or wearing a mask as flu season comes along. COVID isn’t gone, but it’s a lot less of a threat than it was a couple years ago. It’s not just a story, but an experience that we had to live through. Meriden went through a lot of changes because of the pandemic, and those changes will be heavily observed in the future.
New Members We welcome the following new members! Leona Janz, Donald Shubert, Thomas Welsh We Note with Sorrow It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Norman Ness and are grateful to him for remembering us in his will. Spring Hours through May 31, 2024 Wednesday 9:00- 3:00 Open Thursday 1:00-8:00 Closed 1st Thursday (4/4, 5/2, 6/1) Friday 9:00-3:00 By Appointment Saturday 41 W Main Second and Fourth Saturdays 9-2 Andrews Reopens on May 4th for community events’ Closed for Easter Weekend 3/29-4/1 Reopens Tuesday 4/2
Corporate Sponsors *APEC Electric 45 Shuler Ln Durham CT 06422 203-238-0427 https://www.apecelectricct.com/ *Jonal Laboratories 456 Center St. Meriden CT 06451 203-634-4444 https://www.jonal.com/ LaRosa Construction, * L. Suzio Insurance Center, 538 Preston Ave #303 54 Chamberlain Hwy. Meriden, CT 06451 Meriden CT 0645 (203) 237-5409 203-237-7403 http://www.larosaconstructionco.com/www.Suzioinsurance.com *Mahon, Quinn & Mahon, P.C. 636 Broad St. * Tunxis Ohr’s Fuel Meriden CT 06450 80 Britannia St. 203-238-1010 Meriden CT 06451 WWW.mqmlawyer.comwww.tuxisfuel.com3-639-3513 *Meriden Memorial Funeral Home 450 Broad St. *Plimpton & Hills Meriden CT 06450 300 Research Parkway 203-235-9181 Meriden, CT 06450 www.meridenmemorialfh.comwww.plimptonhills.com860-522-4233 *Mule Security & Electric Inc. 113 Broad St. Meriden CT 06450 203-238-7561 www.mulesecurity.com *New England Capital Financial Advisors, LLC 79 Main St. Meriden CT 06451 203-935-0265 www.newenglandcapital.com
Who’s Buried Where and Why Do We Care? Join us for our first annual series of walking tours, led by current and former MHS Board 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. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Tickets are $10 for each individual tour.Registration is required for each event. For more details and to register click the links below.
September 30th 1741-1771 Meetinghouse Hill and Broad Street Cemetery
October 28th 1876 Sacred Heart Cemetery Register Sacred by Thursday October 26th
At the Andrews Homestead
Saturday 9/16 1-4Open House
Join us for the Fall Open House and see the treasures at the Homestead.
Saturday 10/7 4-7Spooky Stories
Join us as dusk arrives to listen to seasonal spooky stories. There are stories for children 8 and under, children 9 and up and adults. Children’s stories start promptly at 4:00 and 5:00. 6:00 is adult spooky stories! There will be an activity for children after story time. Reservations are required due to space limitations. Click HERE to reserve your spot.
Saturday 11/4 1-4Colonial Centerpiece Making
This is an herb wreath, not greenery and properly stored can be used for years. You must sign up and prepay the cost no later than Sat 10/14 in order for us to order and receive the materials in time. Click HERE to reserve and prepay between October 1 and October 14 Registration is not yet open for this event.
Saturday12/9 1-4Gingerbread Houses
Join award winning baker Carol Murdock and create your house. It will be too pretty to eat! You must register and prepay the cost by 11/14 in order for us to order and receive materials on time. Click HERE to reserve and prepay before November 14th.
Lecture Series Our lecture and presentation series is the last Thursday of the month barring holidays or unforeseen circumstances. We start promptly at 6:30. Our Fall line-up is as follows.
September 28 SMOKESTACKS TO MANSIONS: Connecticut’s Industrial Age & Gilded Age Families Come to an inspiring evening as Christina Volpe M.A., Ph.D. Candidate talks about the captivating history of Connecticut’s industrial growth and the opulent lives of Gilded Age families. This lecture takes you on a mesmerizing trip back in time, exploring the rise of industries including the silver industry and the lavish lifestyles of prominent families who left an indelible mark on our history. Click HERE to reserve your seat.
October 26 SPOOKTACULAR MERIDEN Meriden has some great scary stories and mysteries, from the Black Dog in the Hanging Hills, to the Underhill Sanitorium, the Leatherman and even our very own Andrews Homestead. Come enjoy some seasonal fun learning about spooky goings on in Meriden and in Connecticut. We are asking attendees to be bring a new toy as admission which we will donate to the holiday campaign here in Meriden. Click HERE to reserve your seat November 30 MERIDEN THEN and NOW We invite you to share the essence of eight decades of life, dreams, and transformation in our city. Come and listen as local high school students share the data from all the stories collected detailing how the lives of children and teens have changed over the last 80 years here in Meriden. We are very excited to share these stories with you. We are asking attendees to be bring a new toy as admission which we will donate to the holiday campaign here in Meriden Click HERE to reserve your seat. There is no presentation in December because of the holiday season. We will restart our lecture series on January 26th. Our Winter newsletter, arriving in late November, will have all the details.
Activities
MERIDEN THEN AND NOW
Ongoing through September 15th
We invite you to help us capture the essence of eight decades of life, dreams, and transformation in our city. Don’t miss your chance to become a part of Meriden’s living history! We will be collecting stories through September 15th. You can choose to be recordedor write your answers and email them to us.For more information, visit our website at www.meridenhistoricalsociety.org to download the questions or call 203-639-1913.
MERIDEN FAST FORWARD
Opens 10/1 Closes 12/1
Join the fun with this photography contest open to the public. Participants take a picture of a person, place or thing they think will be historically important 100 years from now in Meriden. Gallery 53 will host a juried exhibition in January for the artistic merits of the photos while a panel of historians will review the narratives for the historical importance. Prizes will be awarded at 41 W Main on Thursday 2/23 at 6:30 with the winners presenting their work. For more information and get the directions please email us info@meridenhistsoc.org .
New Members We welcome the following new members! Lori Canney Jennifer Farina Suzanne Goldberg Ed & Jeanne Hanlon
Fall Hours 41 W Main
Wednesday 9:00- 3:00 Tours at 11 and 1 Thursday 3:00-8:00 Closed 1st Thursday (9/7, 10/5, 11/2, 12/7) Friday By Appointment First Saturdays 9-12
I spend a lot of my time wondering about the future of history. In recent years, history has slowly and surely been relegated to red-headed stepchild status in the world of curriculum, taking a place far behind math, English and science. My love for history was kindled at an early age by my father, whose passion for history was communicated to all of his children. I loved stories about the past, anyone’s past, anywhere on the planet. I loved historical fiction, maybe because I liked to pick it apart for historical inaccuracies, but actually for the contextually rich background that authors like Diana Gabaldon and Phillipa Gregory painted, that brought me right in to those worlds. I loved real history. It was my favorite subject. And it is little wonder that I would choose to become a history teacher as my first profession.
I have changed careers but always come back to my professional roots in some form and I now feel that I have come full circle returning to that first love of history as I settle in here at the historical society. But I must share that I worry about the future of the discipline that is far and away my favorite. A recent writing in the American Association of State and Local History was right on the money. And I quote, referring to America’s historical societies, “They have had a strong run since the beginning of the twentieth century, but have always found it hard to do two things: find new board members and attract young families. The running joke is that local societies have always been run by “little old ladies in white tennis shoes.” And they’ve done a good job, but can they, as a force, sustain the pattern?”
And it keeps me awake at night. Once Generation X hits retirement age,the numbers shrink in comparison to Boomers. STEERIKE ONE There will simply be less people who will support the work, and fewer people for lectures, activities and all the rest. And those demographic patterns are not going to change.
People who were born and stayed in a place their wholes lives are becoming more rare. Gone are “I was born on Such and Such Street, right next to the big house where so and so used to live.” We are a highly mobile society and we aren’t all local anymore. Fewer and fewer people with long memories who have deep ties to the community are available to work at preserving any town’s history. STEERIKE TWO. The writing is on the wall.
Now, consider this last point. Local historical societies are just that – local. Local organizations need to see a bigger picture, not just stop at the town line. How do we avoid striking out? Engage younger people. Keep up with technology. Embrace all of the cultures that made and continue to make Meriden what it is so everyone knows they are a part of the story that continues to unfold every single day. What are your thoughts? How can you help us get to the next part of our story? Email us at info@meridenhistsoc.org with your ideas with the subject line “IDEAS”.
NEW EXHIBIT COMING IN OCTOBER
Stay tuned for the details as the Museum celebrates 125 years of history with the Suzio Family.
Follow us on Facebook for updates. It’s going to be fabulous!
Join us here at the Historical Society to create a special memory with a young person who is special to you. The theme is Everybody Has a (Hi)story. We will provide a question template which you can use to write your story! It is a series of questions that a child can ask their special adult and can be done at home. The questions are on the last page. Our request is that the child(ren) along with their significant adult, visit us with their story on Saturday June 10th between 10 and 1:30. We will take your picture and story and turn it into a finished document and email it back to you or you can come back in a week and pick it up.
Join us for a scavenger hunt. Email director@meridenhistsoc.org to request a copy of the rules. (They will be emailed on Friday at Noon to all) Each riddle describes a Meriden landmark or site and has a point value. You can choose which questions you answer, but your goal is to earn as many points as possible by solving the riddle, going to the site, photographing your team in front of each, and returning your answers in person to 41 West Main Street by noon on the 17th OR emailing them by to director@meridenhistsoc.org The team with the most points and proper photographs at 12 noon on Saturday the 17th wins! Prizes will be awarded!
Come enjoy music from 11-7 in the plaza next to the Historical Society and look at our music themed window display. This event is presented by Meriden Parks and Recreation and the Olde Church Acoustic Series.
Join us at the Historical Society to hear Kathleen Housley, author of Stone Breaker: James Gates Percival and the Beginning of Geology in New England. She will be sharing the life of James Gates Percival. His love of the Hanging Hills was lifelong. It was his realization that the Hanging Hills were volcanic and far older than 6,000 years, the presumed age of the Earth during his time, that helped push geology forward as a science in New England.
Admission is free to members. Suggested donation is $10.00 for non-members.
Please contact the office to reserve your seat (203-639-1913) or by email: info@MeridenHistSoc.org or click HERE to reserve online.
Thursday 7/27 6:30 at the Meriden Museum and History Center 41 W Main Street Meriden
STRIKES, SPARES AND GUTTER BALLS
Tuesday 8/1 5-8 at Hubbard Park
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
There is no Thursday evening presentation in August.
***
MEMBERSHIP
***
Join us at the Historical Society to hear Art Dutra and Tony Ezzo. They will be sharing the history of bowling in Meriden and unveiling the model of the Ezzo Building.
Admission is free to members. Suggested donation is $5.00 for non-members.
Please contact the office to reserve your seat (203-639-1913) or by email: info@MeridenHistSoc.org or click HERE to reserve online.
Meriden’s 13th annual National Night Out being planned by the Council of Neighborhoods and the Meriden Police Department’s Neighborhood Initiative Unit will be held on Tuesday August 1st 5pm to 8pm at Hubbard Park. Rain date is Wednesday August 2nd. The event is free of charge including food and beverages, entertainment and children’s activities. Please bring your families and friends and join us!
COME SEE OUR WINDOWS
Flags are in our entryway. June Bride is in our eastern Window and Advertising in Meriden in our Western Window. The window facing the park features Music in Meriden.
Welcome to our new members
Stephen M. Clough, Sr. Rachel Nieland
Cheryl & Daimer Weston
ZEFFY – A NEW WAY TO MAKE RESERVATIONS, PAY DUES & MAKE DONATIONS TO THE SOCIETY
Welcome to Zeffy, our new online fundraising platform that now manages our event reservations, ticket purchases, donations, membership, volunteers and more. While other platforms take a portion of donations in fees, Zeffy gives 100% of all donations directly to nonprofits and relies on voluntary contributions as a source of income. When you use the platform it will ask you for a voluntary contribution to Zeffy, the default suggested is 18%. Just click on the 18%, scroll down and choose “other” which allows you to enter any dollar amount including zero.
If you prefer to use PayPal – we are subscribed to PayPal too.
Everybody has a (hi)story!
CT OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY JUNE 10 10-1:30
My important adult’s name is ___________________________________________________
Where was s/h born? _________________________________________________________
S/he is ______________ years old.
His/her favorite thing to do when s/he was my age was _______________________________
Join us for our first annual series of walking tours, led by current and former MHS Board 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. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Tickets are $10 for each individual tour. Registration is required for each event. For more details and to register click the link below.
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. Each tour is limited to 20 participants. Tickets are $10 for each individual tour.Registration is required for each event. For more details and to register click the links below. October 21th 1863 Walnut Grove Cemetery Register Walnut by Thursday October 19th October 28th 1876 Sacred Heart Cemetery Register Sacred by Thursday October 26th
Join us here at the Historical Society to create a special memory with a young person who is special to you. The theme is Everybody Has a (Hi)story. We will provide a question template which you can use to write your story! It is a series of questions that a child can ask their special adult and can be done at home. The questions are on the last page. Our request is that the child(ren) along with their significant adult, visit us with their story on Saturday June 10th between 10 and 1:30. We will take your picture and story and turn it into a finished document and email it back to you or you can come back in a week and pick it up.
Join us for a scavenger hunt. Email director@meridenhistsoc.org to request a copy of the rules. (They will be emailed on Friday at Noon to all) Each riddle describes a Meriden landmark or site and has a point value. You can choose which questions you answer, but your goal is to earn as many points as possible by solving the riddle, going to the site, photographing your team in front of each, and returning your answers in person to 41 West Main Street by noon on the 17th OR emailing them by to director@meridenhistsoc.org The team with the most points and proper photographs at 12 noon on Saturday the 17th wins! Prizes will be awarded!
Come enjoy music from 11-7 in the plaza next to the Historical Society and look at our music themed window display. This event is presented by Meriden Parks and Recreation and the Olde Church Acoustic Series.
Join us at the Historical Society to hear Kathleen Housley, author of Stone Breaker: James Gates Percival and the Beginning of Geology in New England. She will be sharing the life of James Gates Percival. His love of the Hanging Hills was lifelong. It was his realization that the Hanging Hills were volcanic and far older than 6,000 years, the presumed age of the Earth during his time, that helped push geology forward as a science in New England.
Admission is free to members. Suggested donation is $10.00 for non-members.
Please contact the office to reserve your seat (203-639-1913) or by email: info@MeridenHistSoc.org or click HERE to reserve online.
Thursday 7/27 6:30
STRIKES, SPARES AND GUTTER BALLS
Tuesday 8/1 5-8
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
There is no Thursday evening presentation in August.
***
MEMBERSHIP
***
Join us at the Historical Society to hear Art Dutra and Tony Ezzo. They will be sharing the history of bowling in Meriden and unveiling the model of the Ezzo Building.
Admission is free to members. Suggested donation is $5.00 for non-members.
Please contact the office to reserve your seat (203-639-1913) or by email: info@MeridenHistSoc.org or click HERE to reserve online.
Meriden’s 13th annual National Night Out being planned by the Council of Neighborhoods and the Meriden Police Department’s Neighborhood Initiative Unit will be held on Tuesday August 1st 5pm to 8pm at Hubbard Park. Rain date is Wednesday August 2nd. The event is free of charge including food and beverages, entertainment and children’s activities. Please bring your families and friends and join us!
COME SEE OUR WINDOWS
Flags are in our entryway. June Bride is in our eastern Window and Advertising in Meriden in our Western Window. The window facing the park features Music in Meriden.
Welcome to our new members
Stephen M. Clough, Sr. Rachel Nieland
Cheryl & Daimer Weston
ZEFFY – A NEW WAY TO MAKE RESERVATIONS, PAY DUES & MAKE DONATIONS TO THE SOCIETY
Welcome to Zeffy, our new online fundraising platform that now manages our event reservations, ticket purchases, donations, membership, volunteers and more. While other platforms take a portion of donations in fees, Zeffy gives 100% of all donations directly to nonprofits and relies on voluntary contributions as a source of income. When you use the platform it will ask you for a voluntary contribution to Zeffy, the default suggested is 18%. Just click on the 18%, scroll down and choose “other” which allows you to enter any dollar amount including zero.
If you prefer to use PayPal – we are subscribed to PayPal too.
Everybody has a (hi)story!
CT OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY JUNE 10 10-1:30
My important adult’s name is ___________________________________________________
Where was s/h born? _________________________________________________________
S/he is ______________ years old.
His/her favorite thing to do when s/he was my age was _______________________________
Your name _____________________________________________________________________
PAST NEWSLETTERS:
May 2023 Meriden Historical Society’s Newsletter
News and Events
5/25/2023 6:30 PM
MERIDEN’S PEOPLE OF NOTE – With Justin Piccirillo
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ART AND ARTISANS OF MERIDEN
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MM&HC WINDOWS
FLAGS, MANSIONS,& THE THOMPSON CHOCOLATE CO.
Join Justin Piccirillo on May 25th in the Meriden Historical Society Lecture Hall to explore the topic of Meriden’s People of Note. This hour-long presentation will look at local influential people, from musicians and sport figures to visionaries and writers. This conversation will bring awareness to our city’s incredible history and its history makers. Admission is free to members. Suggested donation is $5.00 for non-members.
Our current exhibit Art and Artisans of Meriden can be viewed at the Society’s Museum and History Center, 41 W. Main Street, downtown Meriden until the end of May.
Admission is free to members. Suggested donation is $5.00 for non-members. Please contact the office to schedule your tour.
Flags are at our entry way. Photographs of various Meriden mansions and the history of Meriden’s Thompson Chocolate Company are our feature window displays for the month of May.
6/3/23 1:00 PM
JUNE TEA
Fundraiser
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TOMIE DEPAOLA On Friday, May 5th, the US postal services issued a stamp honoring author and illustrator Tomie dePaola who was born and grew up in Meriden. On Monday, May 1, 2023 the City council declared Friday, May 5th Tomie dePaola day. In this photo taken at city hall, Joe Zajac (Meriden Hall of Fame, holding a facsimile of the new stamp), Judie (dePaola) Bobby (Tomie’s sister, holding the proclamation), Brian Cofrancesco (Kiwanis) and Ruth Borsuk (Meriden Historical Society), pose after having spoken at the event
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CLOUGH FAMILY DONATES FAMILY ARTIFACTS TO THE SOCIETY On Wednesday, May 3rd, four Clough family cousins gathered at the Meriden Historical Society to donate family records and artifacts produced by their great-grandfather Roger M. Clough (1852-1934), owner of the RM Clough company of Meriden and Tolland. The items will be displayed at our museum. Do you remember the Ray Clough gas station on N. Broad Street in Meriden?
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IN RECOGNITION & WITH THANKS We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members Bruce Rovinsky and Sherwin Borsuk for doing the lion’s share of the physical moving of the Bernice Morehouse Research Center and Annex to our new facility at 41 West Main St. They were assisted at times by other members and friends of the Society. By doing the move ourselves the society was able to save many thousands of precious dollars.
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MEMBERSHIP We note with sorrow the passing of Lucy Mickiewicz, a long time member and supporter of the Meriden Historical Society
What: June Tea – a fundraiser
Where: Andrews Homestead, 424 W. Main St, Meriden
When: Saturday, June 3, 2023 1:00-3:00
Price: $30.00
Number of seats: 40
Tickets must be purchased by Saturday May 27th. Call us for details. 203-639-1913.
April 2023 Meriden Historical Society’s Newsletter
News and Events
4/27/2023 6:30 PM
Phil Callan Talks to the Stars – an Evening with Radio Host Phil Callan
Join us at the Society’s Museum and History Center, 41 W. Main Street, Downtown Meriden for an Evening withRadio Host Phil Callan.
A graduate of Meriden High School (class of 1956), Phil enjoyed a 40-year career as a Radio host. From Meriden’s WMMW to WRCQ, WDRC and WJMJ, he interviewed many celebrities many of whom became good friends. Phil will share anecdotes from his many interviews and illustrate them with video clips.
Admission is free. Seating is limited. Reservations are recommended, by calling the office (203-639-1913) or emailing us: info@MeridenHistSoc.org
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Art and Artisans of Meriden – Exhibit
Close to 80 people braved the rainy day and attended the combined Meriden Historical Society and Gallery 53 March program and art exhibit: Art and Artisans of Meriden with Justin Piccirillo, rendering it a great event. Justin will be back to continue and cover more of the artists in his book.
Due to its popularity, the exhibit will remain open until mid-May.
Books are still available in our gift shop. Please call the office 203-639-1913 or email info@MeridenHistSoc.org to arrange for a tour.
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Benjamin Franklin Students Visit to the Andrews Homestead On April 4th , the 5th grade students of the Benjamin Franklin School and their teachers visited the Society’s Museum at the Andrews Homestead. Volunteer Christina Ruel relayed the history of the building and the Colonial and Revolutionary connection to the Andrews. Sherwin Borsuk and Ruth Borsuk walked the students through the different displays that highlight Meriden’s rich manufacturing history and illustrate the lifestyle of the building’s residents in colonial and Victorian times.
6/3/23 1:00 PM
June High Tea
A Fundraiser
What: June Tea – a fundraiser
Where: Andrews Homestead, 424 W. Main St, Meriden
When: Saturday, June 3, 2023
By Reservations only. Details to follow
Welcome to our new members, Jeff Griffin of Meriden CT,
Dale Hunter of Meriden CT, Donna Hunter of Meriden CT, Annamarie LaMontagne & Thomas Spratta of Meriden CT,Julie Larson of Meriden CT, andChester Ryanski of Meriden CT.
Our display windows downtown no longer feature Napier (east window) or the Millinary industry of Meriden (south window). Our new display will feature the mansions of Meriden (west window) and the Thompson Chocolate Company (east Window). Support Meriden’s downtown; grab a cup of coffee at one of the coffee shops or bakeries and do some old-fashioned window-shopping.
Downtown gets a bad reputation on social media, but social media does not walk downtown.
March 2023 Meriden Historical Society’s Newsletter
News and Events
Arts and Artisans of Meriden with Justin Piccirillo – Exclusive Advance Introduction of Justin’s NEW book! An illustrated program and book signing
Where: Meriden Historical Society Museum and History Center, 41 West Main Street, downtown Meriden.
When: March 15 through the month of April.
In conjunction with the publication of Justin Piccirillo’s book “Art and Artisans of Meriden”, the Meriden Historical Society and Gallery 53 are showcasing a collection of images and artifacts highlighting Meriden’s artistic heritage. The exhibit can be viewed at the main gallery of the Meriden Historical Society’s Museum and History Center, 41 West Main Street, Downtown Meriden, Thursday evenings 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM with tours given at 4:00, 5:00 & 6:00; Saturday mornings 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM with tours given at 10:00, 11:00 & 12:00, and by calling ahead to schedule an appointment.
Saturday 3/25/2023 1:00 PM
Join us at the Meriden Historical Society’s Museum and History Center, 41 W. Main St. Downtown Meriden, for a captivating presentation by Justin Piccirillo, local artist, educator, and author, as he unveils his new book, “Art and Artisans of Meriden.” Justin will present an overview of his book, talk about prominent individual artists, and relate how this convergence of talent created a culture of creativity that remains part of the fabric of our community to this day.
Seating is limited and filling quickly. Please be sure to go to Gallery 53’s web site ( https://www.gallery53.org/artbookpresentation.html) ahead of time to sign up and guarantee your seat. Admission is free.
Arcadia Press made books available for the event at a special rate, proceeds of which will benefit both the Society and Gallery 53. Purchase your book from the Meriden Historical Society ($25.00 cash or checks) or, online on Gallery 53’s web site ( https://www.gallery53.org/artbookpresentation.html) . Call the office (203-639-1913) for details.
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, 41 W. Main Street, Downtown Meriden and 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: MeridenHistoricalSociety@gmail.com
Membership:
Welcome to our new member, Emile Pierides of Meriden CT
We note with sorrow the passing of Frank Suzio, a longtime member and supporter of the Society.
CT Open House Day:
Saturday, June 11, 2022
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Meriden Historical Society History Center
41 W. Main Street – Meriden
Free admission. Donations gratefully accepted.
Our June Program Presentation will feature Sylvester Poli Theater Magnate, his life and involvement in Meriden. Presented by Michael J. Zaffino.
Thursday, June 30th at 6:30 pm at the Society’s History Center
41 w. Main St., downtown Meriden
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GRAND OPENING REPORT
More than 200 people attended our 2-day grand opening celebration. The event would have not been the success it was if not for the dedicated volunteers – those who unpacked, cleaned, set up displays organizing all those items moved from the research center and those who organized the event itself. Such activities
included ordering tablecloths, enlisting sponsors to cover the cost of the opening night gala event, sending out invitations, lining up antique cars and setting up ice cream give-away coupons. Thank you goes to the Gala Committee: Lesley Carabetta, Deborah Patterson, Mike Rohde, Ric Suzio, Michael Zaffino and Mark Zebora. Another thank you goes to our worker-bee volunteers who prepared the building and the displays for the event: Chris Ruel, and Lesley Carabetta, Michael Zaffino, Barbara Austen, Sherwin Borsuk, Paul Butkus, A. Lee Campione, Rick Dickson, Lewis Kraft, Anna-Marie Lamontagne, Hunter McMahon, Deborah Patterson, Nancy Rohde, Bruce Rovinsky, Stacey Rovinsky, Lesley Solkoske and Phil Toussaint.
Heartfelt thanks to Eversource, Barker Specialty, Sherwin and Ruth Borsuk, Community Health Center, Inc., Cox Communications, Hot and Tasty Deli, Meriden Farmers Market, Meriden Puerto Rican Festival Committee, Meriden YMCA, Prentis Printing Solutions, Inc., Thompson Chocolate and the Record Journal fgor sponsoring the event and to all who came and made the grand opening truly grand.
Uniforms on Display – our salute to the people of Meriden and their service to the community and the countryMayor Scarpati delivers an address on behalf of the City of Meriden.Sunday visitors enjoy guided tours given by our volunteers.Neda Weathers, a long time volunteer and a past president of the Society, inspects small items in a state-of-the-art display case.
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:
Joshua Dumitt – Meriden, CT
David Grodzicki – Meriden, CT
Elizabeth Horan – Meriden, CT
Christine Ivers – Meriden, CT
David Ivers – Meriden, CT
Brian Lamphier – Middlefield, CT
Macri Enterprises LLC – Meriden, CT
The Donna & Frank Nedelka family – Meriden, CT
Sound Spectrum Entertainment of Wallingford CT
Robert W. Squire and Family of Meriden, CT
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IN MEMORIAM:
Gladys (Mike) Beloff
Vincent (Vinny) Spratta
Both were long time members of the Meriden Historical Society.
Our volunteer spotlight is on Lesley Solkoske, a 43-year resident of Meriden and a volunteer to the Meriden Historical Society since 1985. She is an avid collector of open salts. According to the Opensalts web site, “an open salt is a small dish used as a piece of tableware for holding salt that is not in a saltshaker.” I have had the pleasure of working with her since February and she played a large role in helping us move and get organized for our grand opening.
How did you get involved with the Meriden Historical Society? The catalogs from the silver companies are what drew me to the Historical Society. I had been collecting antique open salts since childhood but purchased my first one made in Meriden in Snohomish, WA in 1985. Shortly after that, I spent one happy afternoon at the Andrews Homestead pouring over catalogs that Allen Weathers (Curator of the MHS and a walking encyclopedia of all that is Meriden) patiently pulled out for me. At that time, I think they were all still in boxes in one of the upstairs rooms. At the end of the day, I discovered I didn’t have correct change to pay for Xerox copies, so I gave Allen $20 to pay for the copies and a membership. When my work hours changed, I was able to take Wednesday afternoons off. I spent those afternoons for the next 2-1/2 years going through all the catalogs, researching my salt collection. It was the best part of my week!
What activities have you helped with during your volunteer time? At the end of the 2-1/2 years, I figured it was time to give back and asked Allen what I could do to help. He gave me a project collating 50 categories of the businesses in the city directories. I remember at the time thinking that no one would ever use the reference, but I have been amazed at how many times we have turned to that research for answers. The next big job was continuing to sort and organize the books in the library, after the previous volunteer was unable to continue. (The MHS holds a collection that deals with anything related to Meriden and the books written by Meriden authors.) It has proven to be an ongoing project. Over the years, I have helped with packing and moving twice, driven a sag wagon during a parade, learned how to create a PowerPoint presentation, and been a Board member and held offices of Vice President and President. Other jobs have included doing inventory, filing, taking photos, researching telephone and mail requests, and hosting a fundraiser tea at the Homestead. There are so many ways for volunteers to help out, but for me, the best part is the researching. I love going through all the wonderful old catalogs.
When you are not helping out at the MHS, what other things do you enjoy doing? When not at the Historical Society, I enjoy reading, knitting, and playing bridge. But my big passion is still collecting open salts. When I bought that first one back in 1985, I thought there might be a dozen or so made in Meriden. Today I have 450 – mostly silver-plated ones, but also some sterling, cut glass, and porcelain. With the catalog research, I have been able to identify and date many, which is importation information for collectors. Open salts were only a small fraction of the production of the silver companies. We are very fortunate to have such a rich manufacturing history in our town and the Historical Society to preserve it.
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.
ANNUALMEMBERSHIP MEETING
The Meriden Historical Society’s Annual Membership Meeting will take place on Thursday, September8, 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 PROGRAMCo-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”
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.
James T. Powers, author of ShadowsOverDawnland 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.organd follow the link. Sincere thanks to the Meriden Public Library for hostingthe registration on their event scheduler.
GRAND OPENING & OPEN HOUSEOF THEMERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S HISTORY CENTER
Sunday, April 24, Noon – 4:00 PM 39-41 W. Main Street, downtown Meriden – featuring displays ofMeriden’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, MeridenThe museumwill 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.
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 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
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) 2021at 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.
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 caseinclude 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.
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