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.

B&H Elephant Door Stop on display at the Homestead

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 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)

http://www.meridenhistoricalsociety.org/membership/

OCTOBER PROGRAM:  PRESERVING YOUR FAMILY PAPERS AND TREASURES  –  presented by Christine McCarthy, Chief Conservator at the Yale University Library, on Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Meriden Public Library Griffin Room (105 Miller Street.) Ms. McCarthy will discuss the basics of good preservation for personal collections of papers, books, photographs and other objects of sentimental value. We will look at the best places to store important artifacts in one’s home, how to find and work with a conservator, and the best practices for individuals looking to organize, display, and protect their collections. There will be examples of file boxes, folders and plastic sleeves as well as handouts to take home for future reference and sources for more information. This program is cosponsored by the Meriden Public Library and is free and open to the public.

OCTOBER AT THE HOMESTEAD – MERIDEN MEMORABILIA: SHOWCASING A ONE PERSON’S COLLECTION - EVERY SUNDAY IN OCTOBER 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  at the  Andrews Homestead, 424 West Main Street, Meriden, CT

While the city renovation of the Andrews Homestead is not progressing as fast as we had hoped for, we will still hold our bi-annual month-long open house in October. Unlike past exhibits that featured the well known Meriden manufacturing companies, this one will pay homage to the Meriden merchants of yesteryear, their giveaways and gimmicks from yardsticks to shoehorns, thermometers and calendars. The items on display promise to evoke fond memories in those who attend.

We invite you and your friends to come to the Andrews Homestead located at 424 West Main Street Meriden, CT and join in the conversation, the surprises and the good old hometown feeling of Meriden. Visitors will receive their choice of a vintage postcard of downtown Meriden as a souvenir. Admission is free, donations are always appreciated.

TAG SALE

Our Summer-long, monthly community-wide tag sale will hold its last session on October 8^th. It is not too late to reserve your spot at this great event that takes place (Weather permitting) at the parking lot of the Research Center: 1090 Hanover Ave S. Meriden, CT 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Prices to set-up are: $10.00 for members of the Society and $15.00 for non-members. Both the public and dealers are welcome. For more information please call Neda Weathers 203-237-4636 or Bill Siegel 203-235-2217.

TEA AT THE HOMESTEAD

The Tea party/luncheon at the Andrews Homestead was a lovely and tasty event. The event proved to be not just a fun social but also, at the same time a very successful fundraiser.  The society would like to extend its sincere thanks to Jan Franco, who planned and prepared the delicious tea treats, and to the tea angel crew: April, Chris, Martha and Leslie who added some of their kitchen bests and helped set up and serve.

FOR THEIR RECENT DONATION TO THE SOCIETY , SINCERE THANKS TO:

JoAnne Grabinski, Nancy Gluck

A HEARTY WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:

JoAnne Grabinski

WE NOTE WITH SORROW the passing of Louise Lacey Cowing, our beloved librarian and archivist. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Ken and the family.

• September 17th 2011: Tea Party at 1pm at the Andrews Homestead – Tickets required.

• October 11th 2011: Document Preservation at the Meriden Public Library.

• November 8th 2011: Jim Fontana a WWII Pilot will talk about his experiences in the War.

• March 13th 2012: Ghostly Photographs in the Andrews Homestead presented by Julie Griffin.

• April 10th 2012: The History of X-rays presented by Dr Sherwin Borsuk.

• May 10th 2012: Annual membership meeting (members only).

We have also scheduled two month-long open house exhibits at the Andrews Homestead:

• Sundays in October: A One Person’s Collection of Meriden Memorabilia.

• Sundays in May:  To be announced

I look forward to seeing you,
Peter Slavinski

SEPTEMBER PROGRAM: A TEA PARTY LUNCHEON – (Fund Raiser)
Step back in time and enjoy a special tea in the historical ambience of a 1760’s home. The public is invited to attend a tea party luncheon at the historic Andrews Homestead, 424 West Main Street, Meriden, CT on Sept. 17, 2011 at 1 p.m.  Tickets for the tea are $20.
For more information, contact Jan Franco at 203-238-2346. Proceeds will benefit the Meriden Historical Society. Space is limited. No tickets will be sold at the door.

SUMMER-LONG TAG SALE
Our Summer long, monthly community-wide tag sale is going on strong at the parking lot of the Research Center: 1090 Hanover Ave S. Meriden, CT. Held on the Second Saturday of each month, the remaining schedule is as follows: Aug 13, September 10 & October 8 (Weather permitting) 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Prices to set-up are: $10.00 for members of the Society and $15.00 for non-members. Dealers are welcome.
Donations for the Society’s booth and volunteers to man the booth are never refused. Your much-needed donations can be dropped off at Fair Weather Antiques (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), and 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.

OCTOBER AT THE HOMESTEAD – MERIDEN MEMORABILIA: SHOWCASING A ONE PERSON’S COLLECTION
The city of Meriden is in the process of renovating the Andrews Homestead. The project should be completed in time for our next month-long exhibit in October: On display will be one of our members’ thirty-year accumulation of anything and everything Meriden. Postcards, milk bottles, advertising give-aways from various banks and stores as well as other ephemeral material (items that would have normally been thrown away,) saved in memory of the good old days. As an added attraction, visitors to the exhibit will receive a circa-1950′s Meriden postcard as a souvenir.
The exhibit will open on Sunday October 2nd and continue every Sunday in October from 11am until 3pm.
The exhibit will delight anyone, and especially those Interested in Meriden’s history, collectibles and memorabilia. Come join in the fun and share your stories of life in your hometown.

FOR THEIR RECENT DONATION TO THE SOCIETY , SINCERE THANKS TO:
Mark Dunn, Paul Gudelski, Pete Hazelwood and Margaret Jenkins.

A HEARTY WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:
Margaret Arndt, Paula Charneco, Julie Griffin and Betty Ann Hobson.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING & PIZZA PARTY

The Society’s annual meeting will be held on THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011 5:30 PM

AT THE SOCIETY’S BERNICE MOREHOUSE RESEARCH CENTER 1050 Hanover Ave, South Meriden, CT 06451.

This meeting is opened to members only! Annual reports and voting in of new directors and officers will follow our traditional Pizza Party.

THE NAPIER COMPANY: SUNDAYS IN MAY AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD

424 W. Main St, Meriden, CT (next to Ben Franklin School) EACH SUNDAY IN MAY 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Although the city is in the process of refurbishing the Andrews Homestead, we will be holding our bi-annual open house as planned. Jones New York and the Victoria & Co. in Rhode Island, the company that bought out Napier, have donated a substantial amount of large, glamorous photos used for marketing their jewelry. Also in the collection are catalogs dating back to the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, as well as a large scrapbook, compiled in 1948, with interior and exterior photos of the factory and office, along with a presentation binder from June 1953. To reflect the company’s contribution to American costume jewelry, we have assembled a collection of Napier Jewelry representing the many years of the company’s operation. All will be on display in the main room at the Andrews Homestead. Come visit the Homestead, share your stories, and help celebrate Meriden’s past. Admission is free though donations are always appreciated.

This and more at our May Napier Exhibit

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 14, June 11, July 9, Aug 13, September 10 & October 8 (Weather permitting) 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Prices per each set-up are: $10.00 to members of the Society and $15.00 for non-members. Dealers are welcome.

The Society plans on having its own booth at the sale. We need both donations for the sale and volunteers to man 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.

WE WISH TO THANK

For their generosity through their

donation to the Society.

Sherwin Borsuk

Janice Franco

Ron Gibson

Nancy Gluck

Charles Herezog

Joan Munger

Margaret Myers

Andy Piatek

Judith Stillman

NEW PROJECTS OF THE SOCIETY

A comprehensive Trade list of Meriden Architects and Builders is being compiled.

RUMOR HAS IT that the old Handel Homestead on Broad Street is haunted.

A TV crew has been spotted around the old Victorian home…

March, 2011

MARCH PROGRAM:

MARCH 22 6:30 PM AT THE MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY, 105 Miller St. Meriden

W. SCOTT BRAZNELL will present “SILVERSMITHING AS A TREATMENT FOR TUBERCULOSIS: WILLIAM WALDO DODGE, JR., AND THE BEGINNINGS OF GAYLORD SILVERCRAFT.”

Meriden Historical Society’s member W. Scott Braznell, a museum consultant, an author and an independent scholar, is an invaluable source of information pertaining to the silver and silver-plate craft in the US, its trends and historical impacts on society.

“…The Gaylord Silvercraft workshop was part of the Gaylord Farm Sanatorium, Wallingford, CT, run by the New Haven County Anti-Tuberculosis Association.
The following information is taken from an annual report for Gaylord Farm Sanatorium for 1923.
The silver working was done as part of the vocational training and occupational therapy for the tuberculosis patients. After the Federal Board for Vocational Education ceased funding this work at Gaylord, the board feeling that the silverwork would pay for itself persuaded Mr. & Mrs. William Waldow Dodge, Jr. of Meriden to come on board at a nominal salary to develop this workshop…” http://imageevent.com/bluboi/gaylord

The workshop was founded in 1923 and ceased operation in 1944.

Sponsored by the Meriden Historical Society and the Meriden Public Library, the meeting is free and open to the public.

WE NOTE WITH SORROW the passing of long time Life member Emily Fontanella

FOR THEIR RECENT DONATION TO THE SOCIETY , SINCERE THANKS TO:

John Arndt, Martha Colaresi, Ruth Ann Davis, Donald Heckler, Mr. & Mrs. C E Mosher and to Karen Roesler

A HEARTY WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS: Lesley Carabetta, Brian Cofrancesco, Timothy F. Slamon, John Strillacci, and Paul Tobin

Special Thanks to our
SILVER CORPORATE MEMBERS

Naugatuck Savings Bank.
http://www.naugatucksavingsbank.com
251 Church St, Naugatuck CT 06770
203.729-4442
With Branches in Meriden at
100 Hanover St. Meriden, CT 06451
203-639-8866
&
1295 E. Main St. Meriden, CT 06450
203-317-3856

Nest Egg Auction
http://nesteggauctions.com
30 Research Parkway, Meriden CT 06450
203 – 630 – 1400
800-448-0692

and to our
CORPORATE MEMBERS

The Record Journal
http://myrecordjournal.com/
11 Crown St, Meriden CT 06450
230-235-1661

San Souci Restaurant
www.sanssoucirestaurant.com
2003 North Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450
(203) 639-1777