History of the Meriden Historical Society, Inc.
The Meriden Historical Society, Inc., a non-profit corporation, acts as the official historian of the City of Meriden, Connecticut. The administrative body of the Society, its officers and directors, is composed entirely of unpaid volunteers. The Society maintains a close working relationship with the Meriden Public Library, the Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce, and local church historians. The Society is a member of The Connecticut Historical Society
1892, Dec 13
The Society was organized by Levi Coe.
1896
The Society became inactive. No building available.
1927
The Moses Andrews homestead was acquired by the City of Meriden.
1933
The Homestead was renovated as a WPA project and used as a kindergarten & museum.
1940
The Moses Andrews Homestead Society was formed and the Historical Society was reactivated.
1943
The Homestead was turned over to the city for use as a daycare center; The Homestead “went to war.”
1952, April 3
The Meriden Historical Society became active and the Homestead was restored |
Meriden circa 1868
Broad Street looking north,
circa 1885. Central Tavern
(razed in 1890s) on right.
|
1953, August 2
The Society leased the Homestead from the City for $1.00 per year.
1979
The Andrews Homestead was put on The National Register of Historic Places.
1984
The International Silver Company collection of artifacts and publications was deeded to the Society.
1986
The application to the City of Meriden to add an addition at the Society’s expense was denied.
1991
A branch office building at 540 West Main Street was purchased from the Connecticut National Bank to house the records and publications used for historical research.
1998
The W. Main building was sold and a larger one at 1090 Hanover St. was purchased.
2004
The barn at the Morehouse Research Center renovated for archival storage. |
To make a donation or for more information contact the Society at 203-639-1913.
