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

www.mqmlawyer.com

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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

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Record Journal

500 S. Broad St., Meriden, CT

203-317-2407

www.myrecordjournal.com

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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

***

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.

Please support our Corporate Members

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

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

UPCOMING PROGRAM

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

6:30 PM

At the Meriden Public Library

105 Miller St. Meriden CT

VOTES FOR WOMEN

In 2020 we mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the United States. The fight for women’s right to vote was long and took many twists and turns. Join us to learn about the Connecticut women who fought on a local, state, and national level and on whose shoulders we stand. Be inspired by their stories to use your vote to give a voice to women. 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. 

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MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY COMMUNITY TAG SALE

• SEPTEMBER 14. 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
• LOCATION: Meriden Historical Society’s Bernice Morehouse Research Center’s parking lot 1090 Hanover Ave. Meriden, CT 06451
• RAIN DATE: the Saturday following the original date
• COST TO SET UP: $15.00 donation to the Society per set-up ($10.00 for members).
• CONTACT: Bill Siegel 203-237-2217

As in previous years, the Meriden Historical Society will set up its own booth in the shed.  We hope to see you there.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We are looking for dedicated volunteers for the following projects:

• Cataloging and organizing our collection of photographs
• Photographing and cataloging items in our collections
• Researching (doing detective research work) to help answer the many queries addressed to the Society
• Greeters/docents  for our open house events at the Andrews Homestead

Come meet our volunteers at the Bernice Morehouse Research Center, 1090 Hanover Ave. in South Meriden on Wednesdays between 1:30 and 4:00 pm.

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FUNDrive – FUNDRAISER THROUGH SAVERS

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14 

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

AT THE RESEARCH CENTER 1090 Hanover Ave. Meriden CT 

Your no longer needed, gently-used clothing, linens, jewelry, shoes, accessories (such as belts and purses), and small household goods can raise funds for us. We have teamed up with Savers Stores and their fundraiser program.  Savers will pay us 20 cents per pound of soft goods and 10 cents per pound of small household goods we bring to them, so PLEASE think of us when you clean your closets.

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CUNO FOUNDATION GRANT

We were delighted and honored to receive a $2000 grant from the Cuno Foundation. This grant allowed us to purchase a new, state of the art new computer/Work Station complete with a new wide screen monitor and will allow us to purchase more, much needed, acid-free, storage materials. While the first will consolidate all our digitized archival records and facilitate research, the latter will help preserve many of our fragile paper, cloth, and photographed materials.

Our heartfelt thanks to the Cuno Foundation for their continued support of our mission to preserve Meriden’s past for future generations and our purpose: being an active research center disseminating information on Meriden’s industry and Meriden’s History.

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NEWS FROM THE ARCHIVES

Meriden Cut Glass Company PATTERN NAMES

by: Paul S. Butkus

“Give Me Back My Name”

by Talking Heads

There’s a word for it
And words don’t mean a thing
There’s name for it
And names make all the difference in the world

The lyrics above, from a song by the Talking Heads released in 1985, illustrate one of the frustrations with identifying cut glass patterns. With hundreds of patterns introduced by each glass company, developing unique names must have been a challenge and many times only numbers were used. Are the names we commonly use today to describe some of the more collectible patterns their original names?

Several Meriden Cut Glass Company designs are among the most collectible patterns. Names like “Alhambra” immediately bring to mind pieces with a crenelated rim and a series of interlocking hexagons. The original patent, numbered 41,091 and issued to Thomas A. Shanley on January 17, 1911 does not list a name for the pattern but the Alhambra name appears in multiple company catalogs and period advertisements that exist in reference collections throughout the country and in reprints of some of those catalogs. For other patterns where documentation has not been readily available, some names may have been invented by those who were compiling pattern guides.  As research continues and new evidence is discovered about pattern names, will collectors adopt the original names or hold onto the names they have been comfortable with for decades? “Names make all the Difference.”

Recently acquired printed catalog materials from a number of wholesale and retail companies has shed light on the original names for the highly collectible patterns known in the trade as Theodora, Byzantine and Cetus. By cross referencing documented pattern names and images from Meriden Cut Glass Co. materials in the Meriden Historical Society’s collection and patent records with these advertisements, it was possible to identify which groups of cut glass items were made by Meriden (and also J.D. Bergen) even though not labeled as such. The wholesalers and retailers were relying on their own reputations for presenting the quality of goods instead of offering a branded product.

The following illustrations are from the “13^th Annual Illustrated Catalogue and Price List of A. C. Becken, The Chicago Wholesale Jeweler, 1904.”

Commonly referred to as Theodora, this pattern by Wm. R. Eliot is described in patent No. 32,211, Feb 13, 1900:  “springing upward are feathers . . . giving them the semblance of peacock- feathers.” Printed name is FEATHER.

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Commonly referred to as Byzantine, this pattern by Wm. R. Eliot is described in patent No. 32,210, Feb. 13, 1900:  “As herein shown, the design comprises four bands festooned, the surfaces of which are checkered, and on each band is a series of punties, differentiating in size.” Printed name is GARLAND.

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.

A variant of the GARLAND pattern has a characteristic miter cut in place of the terminal punties and is named LONGWOOD.

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Commonly referred to as Cetus, (a name apparently ‘made up by the Pearsons’ according to CriticalGlass.com), is actually named CLUNEY.

.

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Other illustrated patterns in this catalog correlate with well documented MCG Co names so it is unlikely that the names shown with these particular bowls were made up. Based upon the findings, we should give them back their names.

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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

Karen Erasmus, Dave Fugge, Laureen Galayda, Joan Kilby, Justin Piccirillo

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FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK:

Accredited Appraisals Associates

Nancy Benaro

Sherwin Borsuk

Paul Butkus

A Lee Campione

The Cuno Foundation

Christine Czapiga

Jan Fontanella

Lorraine Hancock

David S. Kenny

Joseph Kiely

Joan Kilby

Jim & Beth Lewis

Kenneth Lonczak

Deborah Patterson

Andy Piatek

Rob LaRiviere at The Remodeling Company

Lesley Solkoske

Suzanne Zajac

Visitors to the Andrews Homestead

Visitors to Bernice Morehouse Research Center

Our Anonymous Donor at Your Cause.

*****

 

 

Upcoming Program:

ARCHITECTURE OF MERIDEN: – Lorenzo Hamilton: – Architect of Meriden’s Notable Early 20th Century Homes.

Marcus Hamilton, a life-long Meriden resident, will present a program on the life and works of his grandfather, Lorenzo Hamilton, a grandson of H. Wales Lines. The program will include a bit of history about this storied Meriden family and examples of the homes Lorenzo Hamilton designed throughout Meriden.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 –
6:30 p.m. 
At the Meriden Public Library
105 Miller St. Meriden CT

The lecture programs are co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library. Free admission. Refreshments will be served.

Platt And Maloney High School Students Research Meriden Personalities for Meriden Hall Of Fame Nominations

The Research Center was host to Platt and Maloney High School students in conjunction with their research for candidates for the 2019 Meriden Hall of Fame. About 15 students from Platt High School rotated through our Bernice Morehouse Research Center in December, and, in January about 20 students from Maloney High School were hosted. The students came to do their research and were showed how to access our inventory of information on Meriden’s people from the past. They were asked to give us copies of their research to be added to our files. Our members, Ruth Borsuk, Sharon Deming, Dan Metz, Jane Mulligan, Deborah Patterson, Chris Ruel and Allen Weathers volunteered their efforts to make it a success.

Items wanted for a Dedicated Napier Co. of Meriden Display Case.

We are planning to setup a permanent display case at the Andrews Homestead featuring The Napier Company.  For that reason, we are reaching out to our membership asking for permanent donations of Napier cocktail items, barware, cigarette related items, banks or jewelry. We look forward to being able to give the proper attention to one of the most well-known manufacturers in Meriden’s history. Please contact us by phone at 203-639-1913 or email us. If possible, please attach a photo or give a description of the item.  Thank you.

WANTED: Product Catalogs and information related to Meriden Glass Companies

As part of an ongoing research project and possible future exhibit, the MHS is asking its supporters if they have any early original catalogs from the various glass companies that operated in Meriden around the turn of the 20^thcentury up until WWII. Specifically, we are interested in companies such as the Rockwell Silver Company, Silver City Cut Glass Company and the Silver City Glass company during their early period (well before the introduction of the ‘Anniversary’ themed silver overlay pieces).  We are also interested in the companies that produced cut glass during the American Brilliant Period 1876-1918 such as J.D. Bergen Company, J.J. Niland Company, C.F. Monroe Company, Meriden Cut Glass Company and the Meriden Flint Glass Company. Any other glass companies that operated in Meriden that you have documentation on would also be greatly appreciated.
We have several reprinted catalogs at the MHS for some of the cut glass companies but we are hoping that some original materials may still be around in people’s attics and basements. If you know that family members worked for any of these glass companies and could take a look through your family archives to see if you have any information it would be greatly appreciated. We know that there are descendants of glass cutters and decorators who still live in the area and would love to hear stories about what their families did and see any examples of their work. Donations of materials related to Meriden companies are always welcomed by the MHS but we would be equally grateful for the opportunity to review and scan the materials to include in our archives. Please contact Paul S. Butkus at the MHS who is organizing this project.

We Note with Sorrow 
The passing of our volunteer and board member, Sharon Louise Robarts Deming. 

Sharon worked to organize, catalogue and conserve our image library.  The Research Center won’t be the same place without her, nor will our table at the Hanover School holiday fair.  We will miss her gentle presence and her expert driving skills in the Memorial Day Parade.  We were fortunate to have had her with us, however briefly — and Meriden is fortunate to have her as part of its history.

 For Their Generosity we thank

Michael Barker, Jacquelyn Beale, Ellen M. Carter, Ruth Ann C. Davis, William Glick, Nancy Gluck, Judith Laczek, Daniel Metz, Joan M. Munger for her donation in Memory of Leon Bartholomew, Robert and Judith Panciera, Janet Pestey, Robert R. Siegler and the Mahon, Quinn & Mahon Professional Corporation for their donations to the Society.

Welcome to our new members

David Grodzicki – winner of Christmas in the Village raffle.
Carol Hilton of Parkton, MD
Sara Hilton of Baltimore, MD
The Mahon, Quinn & Mahon Professional Corporation of Meriden, CT
David Pare for the Record Journal
The Spoonshopppe Brooke Deli of Meriden CT

Please support our Corporate Members

Macri Roofing, Inc.

36 Duffy Ave. Meriden, CT
203-235-4830
www.MacriRoofing.com

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Mahon Quinn & Mahon, P.C.

636 Broad St. Meriden CT
203-238-1010
www.mqmlawyer.com

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Meriden Self Storage

210 Pomeroy Ave, Meriden
203-639-7335
www.MeridenSelfStorage.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., So. Meriden, CT 
203-935-0265
www.NewEnglandCapital.com

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Record Journal

500 S. Broad St. Meriden
203-317-2407
www.myrecordjournal.com

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Spoonshoppe Brooke Deli

1320 E. Main St.Meriden CT
203-630-3354
www.Spoonshoppe.com

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Suzio Insurance Center LLC

54 Chamberlain HWY, Meriden CT
203-237-7403
www.SuzioInsurance.com

**********************************

APRIL PROGRAM: UP WEST MAIN AND DOWN MEMORY LANE – Digitized Images of West Main Street, Meriden in 1960 Thursday, April 12^th, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street, Meriden, CT.

Please join us for a nostalgic photographic “walk” along West Main Street Meriden as it was photographed 58 years ago, back in 1960.

Our newest PowerPoint slide presentation captures the store fronts along the north (odd numbers) side of West Main Street starting at Colony Street and ending at 109 W. Main.

The program is free and open to both members and the public.   Refreshments will be served.

 

SPRING TEA: CELEBRATE SPRING AT THE HOMESTEAD

A spring fund raiser tea will be held on May 5th from 1:00-3:00 at the Andrew’s Homestead, 424 West Main St, Meriden, CT.

The Homestead’s display rooms will be set for a traditional afternoon tea featuring a variety of tea sandwiches, scones, assorted desserts and teas, as well as a door prize and table favors.

On display will be selected tea and coffee sets from the Historical Society’s International Silver collection. The tea will open the Homestead’s special May exhibit.

The price of tickets is $22.

Space is limited so we urge you to make your reservations early.

Reservations can be made by calling: 203-440-3686

 

MAY OPEN HOUSE & SPECIAL EXHIBIT:

Every Sunday in May 11:00 – 3:00 at the Andrews Homestead, 424 W. Main St. Meriden CT, sharing a parking lot with the Benjamin Franklin School.

Our May exhibit will be in conjunction with the Spring Tea Party being held on Saturday May 5^th. The following day, May 6^th will be the start of the Sunday exhibits that will feature a selection of items made by Meriden companies, related to the serving of tea.

Best of all, changes have been happening inside the Homestead. We have been going through our inventory and have discovered some impressive items that have been stored away for much too long. We’re really excited about showing off our restocked and reorganized displays for this exhibit.

If you are a new member this year, please mention that when you come to the exhibit. We have a special gift for you. Come and enjoy.

 

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS: Ronald Abbe of Meriden CT, Michael and Shelley Barker of Bloomfield CT, Britney & Jack Corey of Meriden CT, Joy Higgins of Meriden CT, Robert LaRiviere Sr. of Meriden CT, George and Rowena McGoldrick of Meriden CT, Miroslava Ness of Venice, FL, Judith & Robert Panciera of Meriden CT, Lori Raguckas of Meriden CT, Justin & Marisa Rogers of Meriden CT, Geoffrey Ruel and Family of Meriden CT, Ken Ruel & Family of Meriden Ct, and to our new corporate members, Suzio Insurance of Meriden CT, and Meriden Self Storage of Meriden CT

 

FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK: Nancy Benarro, Daniel Busa, Martha Colaresi, Bill Glick, Nancy E. Gluck, Robert LaRiviere and the Remodeling Company, Don & Kathleen McMahon, Alice Meigs, Joan Munger (IMO Leo Bartholomew), Bruce & Stacey Rovinsky, and The Meriden Lions Club.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS 

Nest Egg Auctions

https://nesteggauctions.com

758 Four Rod Road

Berlin, CT 06037

203-630-1400

 

The Remodeling Company

848 N. Colony Rd

Meriden, CT 06450

203-213-1053

 

New England Capital Financial Advisors, LLC

http://newenglandcapital.com

79 Main St.

Meriden, CT 06451

203-935-0265

 

Suzio Insurance Center, Inc

http://www.suzioinsurance.com

54 Chamberlain Hwy

Meriden, CT 06451

 

Meriden Self Storage

https://www.meridenselfstorage.com

210 Pomeroy Ave.

Meriden, CT 06450

203-639-7335