AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD:

424 West Main Street, Meriden Every Sunday in May, from 11:00 am till 3:00 pm

The Homestead’s new fence and the Society’s sign were wrecked in a recent automobile accident. Despite the damage to the property we are going on with our May open house plans. On display, will be

MERIDEN EPHEMARA (MOSTLY)

E•phe•me•ra

plural noun

things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time.

• items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity. Advertising cards, post cards, paper giveaways, match boxes, brochures, calendars, letterheads, candy wrappers and all that is paper and not meant to have been kept, will be on display at the Andrews Homestead on Sundays during the month of May.

Admission to the Homestead is free. Donations are much appreciated.

MAY PROGRAM: ANNUAL PIZZA AND POP PARTY

THURSDAY, MAY 8TH  6:00 P.M. at the Bernice Morehouse Research Center, 1090 Hanover St. South Meriden, CT

Our Annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 8^th at 6:00 PM. This meeting is for members only. (Yes, you can bring one friend/spouse/child) The President and Committee Chairs will give their annual reports. The membership will vote in the officers for the upcoming year and we’ll all have pizza, salad, coffee, tea and soda (AKA Pop). This is a chance to see the Society’s Wave Crest Collection, which will be on display.

SLATE OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2014-2015

OFFICERS:

PRESIDENT – Peter Slavinski

VICE PRESIDENT – Bill Siegel

SECRETARY – Martha Colaresi

TREASURER – Frank Pociadlo

MEMBERSHIP – Diane Tobin

CURATOR – Allen Weathers

DIRECTORS:

Ruth Borsuk

Sherwin Borsuk

Mary Ellen Brechlin

Brian Cofrancesco

Jan Franco

Bruce Rovinsky

Stacey Rovinsky

Lesley Solkoske

Kate Slavinski

Ron Stempien (honorary member)

SPECIAL THANKS

To Lester Dequaine for his very generous donation to the society.

To Diane Tobin for her recent donation of 3 binders filled with Meriden post cards and other Ephemera. The binders will be among the items in our May exhibit. We invite you to “sit a spell” and browse the binders.

 

FOR THEIR DONATIONS TO THE MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

WE THANK

John G. Arndt,

Doe Bartlett,

Henry Benoit,

W. Scott Braznell,

Frank Chiarenze,

Lester Dequaine,

Nancy Gluck,

Margaret S. Jenkins,

Lucy Mickiewicz

 

 

 

 

MARCH PROGRAM:

JEDEDIAH WILCOX and THE MERIDEN WILCOX MANSION: HISTORY, MYSTERY and LEGACY

presented by BRIAN COFRANCESCO

TUESDAY, 3/11/14 6:30 P.M. at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street, Meriden

Brian CoFrancesco, an architectural historian, will be presenting a program about Jedediah Wilcox, a Meriden manufacturer and partner in the Wilcox Silver Plate Company.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Most long-time Meriden residents will recall marveling at the remarkable Wilcox Mansion, situated at 816 Broad St. until its demise in 1971 to make room for a gas station. Someone who knows it especially well is Brian CoFrancesco, an architectural historian who began an investigation into the mansion’s history while a student at the University of Virginia. Brian will give a talk accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation on the ”princely residence” built in 1870 for carpetbag and hoop-skirt manufacturer Jedediah Wilcox.
Co-Sponsored by and presented at the Meriden Public Library, this program is free. All are welcome. If you would like to reserve a seat, contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349, email comsvc@hotmail.

AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD:

We were pleased to welcome the teachers of PSI Chapter, Alpha Delta Kappa to the Andrews Homestead Meriden Museum. A history of Meriden and its manufacturers was included in the guided tour.

A special tour is scheduled for the fifth grade students of the Ben Franklin School. The students, their teacher and accompanying parents will be visiting us in early March.

 

APRIL PROGRAM:

SALTS presented by LESLEY SOLKOSKE

Scheduled for April 8, 2014 at 6:30 pm at the Meriden Public Library 105 Miller St. Meriden

Lesley Solkoske, a member of both the Meriden Historical Society and the New England Society of Open Salt Collectors, will give a presentation on Salts, open salt dishes used to serve salt on the Victorian dinner table before the days of salt shakers! She will display salts made here in Meriden and elsewhere.

 

SPECIAL THANKS to Chris Ruel, Brian CoFrancesco, Jan Franco, Frank Pociadlo, Dian Tobin and Ruth Borsuk who put together a powerpoint presentation titled A HISTORY OF MERIDEN.  We now have a “canned” program, ready to be presented anywhere. Heartfelt thanks to the CUNO Foundation whose grant allowed us to purchase the necessary equipment for this and future such programs.

ADDITIONAL THANKS are extended to Bruce and Stacey Rovinsky. The Rovinsky family had opened their Halloween transformed Meriden Home to the public as a fun filled fundraiser. The Meriden  Historical Society  is grateful to have received a generous donation from the Rovinsky family.

 

WE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS

Seth Eddy of Meriden, CT

Lisa Davis of New Haven, CT

Patricia F. Singer of Atlanta, GA

 

FOR THEIR DONATION TO THE MERIDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

WE THANK

Sherwin and Ruth Borsuk

Glen Fulton

James and Betty Masterson

Bruce and Stacey Rovinsky

Patricia Singer

 

 

PARANORMAL – INVESTIGATING THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD 

Presented by Adam Shefts

TUESDAY, 10/08/13 6:30 P.M.

Co-Sponsored by and presented at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St. Meriden, CT 06450

Adam Sheft is the founder and director of Northeast Paranormal Investigations Society. They are a professional team working with historical societies throughout the Northeast. Northeast Paranormal conducts programs for historical societies to assist in raising attention and historical awareness of their properties.

 

MERIDEN’S POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS  CURRENTLYAT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD

EVERY SUNDAY IN OCTOBER 11:00 am – 3:00 pm:

October’s exhibit at the Andrews Homestead features the history of the Meriden police and fire departments. Allen Weathers, the curator, is displaying the Society’s collection of photos, trophies, uniforms and other memorabilia of the police and fire departments of Meriden.

The Andrews Homestead is located at 424 W. Main St. Hours are from 11am to 3pm on Sundays, October 6, 13, 20 and 27. Admission is free; donations are appreciated

 

TAG SALE:    The last of the Second Saturday of the month tag sale will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2013. Vendor spaces are available at $15 for non-members and $10 for members. For further information or to arrange for a pickup of small items to be donated to The Society’s booth, please call:  203) 235-2217 or (203) 237-4636.

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

10/8/13 Paranormal – Investigating the Andrews Homestead by Adam Shefts.

11/12/13 ‘Saving the Farm’ book signing and presentation by author James Powers.

3/11/14 Jedediah Wilcox by Brian Cofrancesco. Jedediah Wilcox, his legacy and the history of his mansion.

4/8/14 Open Salts by Lesley Solkoske  Open Salts both Meriden’s and others.

These programs are co sponsored by and will be presented at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St. Meriden, CT 06450

 

WE WELCOME our new member Sharon Demming of Meriden CT,

SINCERE THANKS TO J. Richard Pizzuto and B. Morehouse for their generous donations to the Meriden Historical Society

 

 

THE BLIZZARD OF ‘78

APRIL PROGRAM 4/30/13 AT 6:30 P.M.
Co-Sponsored by and presented at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St Meriden, CT 06450
Author Michael Tougias will present a narrated slide presentation of “The Blizzard of ’78”.  Mr. Tougias chronicles the period before the storm then follows its progression, causing commuter nightmares and incredible devastation. An in-depth analysis comparing this blizzard to the Great Blizzard of 1888 is also included.
Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

 

CURATOR’S CHOICE EXHIBIT

AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD IN MAY: Our May exhibit will be a chance for our curator Allen Weathers to showcase a fantastic collection of items from his varied interests. We are always amazed and appreciative of his broad knowledge not only of Meriden itself, but of ordinary things used in Meriden over the years. Come to the Andrews Homestead any Sunday during May from 11am to 3pm and be ready for a “treat”.

 

TAG SALE

The Meriden Historical Society is busy getting ready for our Second Saturday of the month tag sale season beginning on May 11th, 2013
We are looking for donations for our Society Table such as decorative items, collectibles, paintings, photos, jewelry or small household items in working condition. They may be dropped off at the Historical Society Research Center at 1090 Hanover Rd. in South Meriden on Wednesdays from 2 until 4:30.
If you would like to set up at the sales, spaces are available at $15 for non-members and $10 for members.
For further information or pickup of items, please call:
(203) 235-2217 or (203) 237-4636.

 

PIZZA AND POP AT THE ANNUAL MEETING 

Thursday, May 9^th, 2013 at 6:30 pm.
The Society’s annual membership meeting will be held at the Bernice Morehouse Research Center 1090 Hanover Ave, South Meriden, CT 06451.
Committee chairs will be presenting their annual reports. All members are urged to come, vote in the new board, chat with friends and enjoy pizza, a soft drink and dessert.
This meeting is opened to members only!

 

WE NOTE WITH SORROW the passing of Robert Spinelli (November 2012), Evelyn Boriello (January 2013), Lillian Semolic (February 2013) Don Heckler (March 2013) Erma Bartholomew DeMaria (April 2013) and Mark Dunn (April 2013)

 

WE WELCOME our new members Joseph Zabrowski of Meriden, Mary Ellen Brechlin of Meriden and Sharon Deming of Meriden.

 

SINCERE THANKS TO: Jeffrey Merrian, Margaret Jenkins, John Arndt, Sherwin Borsuk, Deborah Granger, Martha Colaresi, Susan Youngs and Glen Fulton for their generous donations to the Meriden Historical Society

203-639-1777

 

MARCH PROGRAM: INDIAN WARS IN CONNECTICUT Tuesday, March 12, 6:30 pm at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St, Meriden, CT 06450

Connecticut has generally been seen as a bucolic, rather quiet state. But early in its history, the state saw bloody battles, both between Native American tribes and between natives and colonists. The program, presented by David Koch, a historian and an Assistant Professor of History at Housatonic Community College, will center on two major Indian wars of the period: the Pequot-Mohegan War and King Philip’s War. It will also deal in part with the battle fought in Fairfield that ended the Pequot-Mohegan War in 1637. The talk will present a lesser-known aspect of history of our region and our state, which in turn profoundly affected the history of Colonial America.

This program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library and is opened to the public.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS: THE MERIDEN FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS Will be the subject of our special exhibit Sundays in May at the Andrews Homestead. Details to follow in our next newsletter.

 

THE BLIZZARD OF ’78 – a narrated slide presentation by Michael Tougias on Tuesday, April 30th, 2013  6:30 pm at the Merideb Public Library

 

MANY THANKS TO: Lesley Solkoske, Greg D. Hugo, Agnes Baur, Frank Chiarenza, Emily Belanger, Margaret Myers, Ruth Ann Davis, Joan Munger, Victoria Brady, Mark Dunn, Nancy luck, Eugene & Mary Louise Mosher, The Civil War Encampment, Christine Reinhardt, Mary Lou and Rich Hagan, Jerry Newman, Loren Pinkerman, Tuck Hugo, and to the the Slavinski Family, for their generosity to the Society.

 

WE NOTE WITH SORROW the passing of Lillian Semolic, a long time member of the Society.

 

 

 

OCTOBER PROGRAM: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY OCT 5TH –6TH  CIVIL WAR CONCERT AND ENCAMPMENT – an historical event to honor the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and to recognize Meriden’s contributions during our country’s most turbulent time. The event is a collaborative effort of the 2d Connecticut Heavy Artillery, the Meriden Historical Society, the Meriden ArtsTrust, Inc. and the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association and is made possible through a generous grant from the Meriden Foundation.

This historical event honors the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and recognizes Meriden’s contribution to the war effort

Friday, October 5 – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. — Civil War Remembrance Concert, at the Lincoln Middle School Theater, 164 Centennial Ave., Meriden, CT — The kick-off to the next dayʼs event. ($5.00 admission. Free parking at schoolʼs parking lot.)

Saturday, October 6 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. — Civil War Encampment at Dossin Beach Park at Hanover Pond, Oregon Rd., Meriden CT. Located near the original site of Camp Tyler, a training camp for the First Regiment Connecticut

Volunteer Cavalry and the First Battery Connecticut Volunteer Light Artillery, the 2d Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery volunteers will act not only in the roles of militia and the ancillary but also as indispensable players associated with the camp, such as washerwomen, cooks and blacksmiths.

For more details, or to volunteer, please visit the Meriden Civil War web page at http://meridencivilwar.wordpress.com/

AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD: THE CIVIL WAR OPEN HOUSE & EXHIBIT SUNDAYS  IN OCTOBER 11:00 am -3:00 pm:  Beginning with Sunday October 7th, and each Sunday in October thereafter, we will open our doors for  an exhibit highlighting the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with a focus on Meriden’s G.A.R., Merriam Post No. 8.  Interesting and unusual artifacts from Civil War battlefields will be displayed along with medals, swords, an authentic uniform, Lincoln’s life mask and other memorabilia. A collection of Memorial Day, Civil War officers, and monument postcards, as well as other ephemera will be available to browse through.   The Andrews Homestead, our showcase museum, is located at 424 West Main St. (between the Ben Franklin School and McDonalds), Meriden ,  CT.   Admission is free; donations are appreciated. Come join us and share your memories of Meriden.

OUR LAST COMMUNITY WIDE TAG SALE OF THE SEASON Will be held on Saturday, October 13 (Weather permitting) 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.  At The Bernice Morehouse Research Center parking lot, 1090 Hanover Street, South Meriden (across from the Four Corner Restaurant.) Come shop at the Society’s booth and the booths of our supporters. You can also set up your own booth… Contact numbers for the Tag sale are: Neda Weathers 203-237-4636 or Bill Siegel 203-235-2217. Prices per each set-up are: Members: $10.00 non-members – $15.00. Dealers are welcome.

MANY THANKS TO: Louise Lacoske, Sherwin Borsuk and Stacia Morehouse for their recent donations to the society.

A HEARTY WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:  David Beal, Melinda Lewis, Paul Magnotta, Janet Pestey, Maureen Purcell, Ron Salka and Susan Youngs.

BUILDING PLAQUES PROGRAM A preliminary meeting was held at the Research Center to look into the possibility of establishing a Building Plaques Program – a program that will provide plaques to note homes in town. If you are interested in getting involved with such a committee, please contact the society at meridenhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or leave a message on our answering machine at 203-639-1913.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING:  The Board of Directors will hold its next meetings at the Research Center  on Wednesday, October 17th 2012 at 5:00 PM.

NEXT MEMBERSHIP MEETING: LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING - Tuesday, November 13, 6:30 pm at the Meriden Public Library. Christopher Pagliuco, a freelance writer and a high-school history teacher in Madison CT, will present his recently published book THE GREAT ESCAPE OF EDWARD WHALLEY AND WILLIAM GOFFE: SMUGGLED THROUGH CONNECTICUT.  The book recounts the personal stories of Whalley and Goffe toppled King Charles I of England, in the 1640s  and were in his execution. In the 1660s Whalley and Goffe became fugitives, fleeing to the then, Colony of New Haven.      The meeting is co-sponsored with the Meriden Public Library and is free to all.

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR  

CORPORATE MEMBERS

Nest Egg Auctions

http://nesteggauctions.com

30 Research Parkway, Meriden CT 06450 203 – 630 – 1400 800-448-0692

The Record Journal

http://myrecordjournal.com/

11 Crown St, Meriden CT 06450 230-235-1661

Sans Souci Restaurant

http://www.sanssoucirestaurant.com/

2003 North Broad Street Meriden, CT 06450 (203) 639-1777

 

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MAY 10^TH – PIZZA – POP & VOTE

Members only!!! Do your Duty – Come and vote! The annual meeting of the Meriden Historical Society will take place at our Bernice Morehouse Research Center – 1090 Hanover Ave, South Meriden, on Thursday, May 10^th at 6:30 PM. On the agenda are the annual reports of the Society’s President, Treasurer, Membership Chair and Curator. Also on the agenda – voting for the 2012-13 board of directors, followed by a pizza and soda-pop dinner.

 

AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD:

OPEN HOUSE AND EXHIBIT: THE BRADLEY AND HUBBARD (B&H) MFG COMPANY

EVERY SUNDAY IN MAY 11:00-3:00

Our May exhibit at the Andrews Homestead, 424 West Main St. (next to McDonald’s) will showcase the Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing Company, one of the largest employers of Meriden workers in the late 1800’s. Our central exhibit room will feature a wide variety of the ornamental and decorative items for which Mr. Bradley and Mr. Hubbard are famous. Their legacy of generosity to the citizens of Meriden will also be celebrated. Bring your memories; we love to hear your stories and are constantly amazed at the connections that underlie so many of the people of Meriden. We have been preserving Meriden’s past for future generations since 1892. Be a part of it. Come join us any Sunday in May from 11am until 3pm. Admission is free. Donations are always appreciated.

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS to Diane Tobin on the publication of her wonderfully informative book: The Meriden Flint Glass Company: An Abundance of Glass (The History Press). http://www.amazon.com/The-Meriden-Flint-Glass-Company/dp/160949492X

Diane will present her research at our September meeting, at which time she will also have copies of her book available for purchase and signing.

SUMMER-LONG TAG SALE

To help raise money for the upkeep of our research center, the Society will be holding a monthly community-wide tag sale at the parking lot of the Research Center: 1090 Hanover Ave S. Meriden, CT on the Second Saturday of each month: May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug 11, September 8 & October 13 (Weather permitting) 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Prices per each set-up are: Members: $10.00 non-members – $15.00. Dealers are welcome.

The Society plans on having its own booth at the sale. We need both donations for the sale and volunteers to staff the booth. Your much-needed donations can be dropped off at Fair Weather Antiques (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), or at the Research Center (on Wednesday afternoons). To arrange for a pick-up, or to volunteer call Neda Weathers 203-237-4636 or Bill Siegel 203-235-2217.  No appliances please – collectibles and smalls only.

 

MANY THANKS TO:

Lester DeQuaine and to James and Kathleen Nemeth for their recent donations to the society.

 

 

A HEARTY WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER:

Mr. Joseph Scaramuzzo of Meriden CT

 

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS & PROGRAMS:

The following are tentative dates for next year’s programs

September (no date yet) Diane Tobin will present her book The Meriden Flint Glass Company: An Abundance of Glass (The History Press). Book sale and signing will follow.

October 6, 2012: Civil War Reenactment at the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) 540 Oregon Road, Meriden

November 13^th 2012: to be announced

March 12^th 2013: to be announced

April 9^th 2013: to be announced

May 9^th 2013 – Annual Membership Meeting

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The Board of Directors will hold its meetings at the Research Center at 5:00 PM on the following Wednesdays:

September 19^th 2012

October 17^th 2012

November 14^th 2012

February 20^th 2013

March 20^th 2013

April 17^th, 2013

May 15^th 2013

June 19^th, 2013

 

THE NEW ENGLAND CIVIL WAR MUSEUM

New England Civil War Museum is open on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month from noon till 3:00. Current exhibits: “Col. Thomas F Burpee Collection” and “The Hirst Brothers Collection”. The museum is maintained and operated by Alden Skinner Camp #45 Sons of Union Veterans 14 Park Place, 2^nd Floor, Rockville-Vernon, CT 06066

Phone: 860-870 3563

 www.newenglandcivilwarmuseum.com

 

APRIL PROGRAM: X-RAYS IN HISTORY AND POP CULTURE Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Meriden Public Library Griffin Room. (105 Miller Street, Meriden)

Dr Sherwin Borsuk, president of Midstate Radiology Associates and a member of the Meriden Historical Society Board will present The History of Radiology and it’s effect on popular culture.

The talk is open to the public. Admission is free.

 

AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD

The City has completed the first phase of repairs to the Andrews Homestead. Seventeen new windows have been installed and the porch and rear doors replaced. The city is now awaiting another grant to finish the remaining windows, paint the house and replace the fence.

MAY OPEN HOUSE AND EXHIBIT AT THE HOMESTEAD

Plans are under way for our May open house featuring the BRADLEY AND HUBBARD  MANUFACTURING COMPANY (B&H).

Although Mr. Bradley and Mr. Hubbard may no longer enjoy recognition as entrepreneurs, even in their own city, the products they manufactured at the factory that bore their names are prized and sought after in the antiques world. Their legacy of generosity to the citizens of Meriden is celebrated in this exhibit along with many fine examples of their wares.

 

FOUND IN OUR ARCHIVES

While going through our archives, re-filing various papers, our volunteers came across this 1885 (or so) witty note:

“My Dear Niece,

In conformity to a long established custom, I congratulate thee on thy birthday return.

I should be much pleased if I could meet thee with other friends this evening but the Blue Laws of the State Of Connecticut prohibits people from being out evenings after they are ninety years of age unless they are accompanied by their Mothers. Therefore, please excuse my absence and with many good wishes for thy future happiness.

I remain the same,

Old Uncle Samuel Barnard Hussey”

SUMMER-LONG TAG SALE

To help raise money for the upkeep of our research center, the Society will be holding a monthly community-wide tag sale at the parking lot of the Research Center: 1090 Hanover Ave S. Meriden, CT on the Second Saturday of each month: May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug 11, September 8 & October 13 (Weather permitting) 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Prices per each set-up are: Members: $10.00 non-members – $15.00. Dealers are welcome.

The Society plans on having its own booth at the sale. We need both donations for the sale and volunteers to staff the booth. Your much-needed donations can be dropped off at Fair Weather Antiques (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), at the Research Center (on Wednesday afternoons). To arrange for a pick-up, or to volunteer call Neda Weathers 203-237-4636 or Bill Siegel 203-235-2217.  No appliances please – collectibles and smalls only.

 

A HEARTY WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:

Kathleen Finaldi of Meriden CT and Arthur J. Hall of Cathedral City CA.

 

CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT IN MERIDEN

150^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR

A Civil War Encampment will be held on Saturday, October 6, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Hanover Pond’s Dossin Beach Park in Meriden.  We invite you to a prelude Civil War Remembrance Concert on Friday, October 5, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Middle School theater.

These events honor the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, recognizing Meriden’s contribution to the war effort by focusing on the social, economic and cultural practices of the time.  Our Encampment will portray life in the Union Army (not a reenactment of North-South fighting).

Civil War Encampment is a collaborative effort between four local non-profit groups: the Second Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery; Meriden Historical Society; Meriden Arts Trust; and host of the event, the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association.

We plan to have a spirited day filled with varied activities for all ages.  The highlight of the Encampment will be marching and drilling, presented around noon, by the soldiers of the Second CT Volunteer Heavy Artillery.

Two special quests will speak in the QRWA building.  In the morning, a one-woman performance of They Called Me Lizzy, portrays the retrospective life of Elizabeth Keckly, former slave who became the seamstress of Mary Todd Lincoln.  The afternoon features Matthew Warshauer, Ph.D. and author of Connecticut in the American Civil War: Slavery, Sacrifice & Survival, co-chair of the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Committee and Professor of History at Central Connecticut State University.

A variety of performances and topics relevant to the Meriden community, or to the Civil War, will be presented outdoors on Meriden’s Show Mobile (our portable stage).

We anticipate 1,000-2,000 visitors.  Crafts, beverages and food will be available for purchase.

Anyone wishing to get involved can contact the QRWA at (203) 237-2237 and leave a message.

 

CORRECTIONS:

Inadvertently, Jim and Betty Masterson’s generous donation to the Society last year as well as that of Rosalie Cross’ have been omitted from last month’s bulletin. My sincere apologies to both.

Condolences on the passing of Leon Bartholomew also go to Joan, Grace, Paul, Erma Robert and Louise.

IN MEMORIAM DONATIONS

The board of directors of the Historical Society has approved the purchase of two new display cases. One will be dedicated to the memory of Rita Picciafochi and will be purchased with donations made in her memory. A second, matching display case will be dedicated to the memory of Leon Bartholomew and will be purchased with donations made in his memory. The case in memory of Rita will be placed in the Andrews Homestead while the one in memory of Leon will be placed at the Bernice Morehouse Research Center where he spent many happy hours working on Historical Society projects.

MANY THANKS TO:

John G Arndt, Agnes Baur, Frank Chiarenza, Martha Colaresi, Ruth Ann Davis, Mark Dunn, Nancy Gluck, Deb Glanz Hanna, Margaret Jenkins Mr. & Mrs. C.E. Mosher, Joan Munger, and John Yuza for their recent donations to the society.

 

The Society would like to thank Jim and Betty Masterson for their donation of two memorial books honoring United States Senator (1879-1905) Orville Hitchcock Platt.  Orville H. Platt was born in Washington CT (July 19, 1827) and made his residency in Meriden where he practiced law from 1850 till his death here in town (April 21, 1905). He was interred in Washington CT at the Cemetery on the Green.

 

 

March, 2012

 

 

MARCH PROGRAM: What is Haunting the Andrews Homestead? Presented by Julie Griffin

Tuesday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Meriden Public Library Griffin Room. (105 Miller Street)

Interested in seeing ghostly photographs taken in our community, and hearing spirit voices caught on EVP (Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) are electronically generated noises that resemble speech, but are not the result of intentional voice recordings or renderings.)?

Join us for an evening discussing spirit photography and of what is haunting the Meriden Historical Society’s Andrews Homestead – presented by Julie Griffin.

Ms. Griffin (no relation to the room) is a photographer and, since 2008, a paranormal investigator. She visits locations reported to be haunted and documents the experience with her spirit photography. The visits often lead to intense personal experiences…

The program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library. It is free and open to the public.

 

CROMWELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS: Beauty and the Beast – 300 Years of Connecticut Architecture

Presented by William Hosley Monday, March 26, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Stevens-Frisbie House, 395 Main Street, Cromwell. The program is the 5^th in a series. It is free, but reservations are requested. To RSVP,  please call the Cromwell Historical Society at 860-635-0501

 

A HEARTY WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:  Clark Robison, Diane Mase, and Emily Belanger

 

WE NOTE WITH SORROW the passing of Leon Bartholomew, a long time member of the society and its Board of Directors.  We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Florence, Richard & Lois and to Richard & Claire.

 

MANY THANKS TO :

John Arndt, Martha Colaresi, Ruth Ann Davis, Mark Dunn, Jan Franco, Ron Gibson, Nancy Gluck, JoAnne Garbinski, Paul Gudelski, Pete Hazelwood, Donald Heckler, , Charles Herezog, Margaret Jenkins, Mr. & Mrs. C E Mosher, Joan Munger, Margaret Myers, Andy Piatek, and Karen Roesler, for their donations to the society over the past year.

 

A REMINDER:  If you have not yet done so, now is the time to renew your 2012 membership in the Meriden Historical Society.

Rates are:

Individual Membership: $15 per person, yearly

Seniors (over age 65): $10 per person, yearly

Life Membership: $250 per person

Senior Life Membership: $125 per person

Corporate Membership: $50.00

Silver Corporate Membership $75.00

You can pay by check made out to the Meriden Historical Society and mailed to:

MHS Membership Chairperson

PO Box 3005,

Meriden, CT 06450

 

Alternately, you can pay your membership online (and make donations to the society at)

https://meridenhistoricalsociety.org/membership/