Meriden Historical Society

Meriden Historical Society The Meriden Historical Society Inc. is a membership supported, non-profit organization uniting those who are interested in the history of Meriden, CT

Figure it out Friday is back again
09/04/2026

Figure it out Friday is back again

Throwback ThursdayDr. Benjamin H. Carter, a prominent dentist who began practicing in Meriden in 1902 and was highly act...
09/03/2026

Throwback Thursday
Dr. Benjamin H. Carter, a prominent dentist who began practicing in Meriden in 1902 and was highly active in the community around 1907. Born in Maine in 1877, Dr. Carter graduated from the Boston Dental College. He relocated to Meriden to open his dental practice at the turn of the century (1902).Around 1907, he was a well-known local figure, active in dental societies and heavily involved in Meriden's local theater scene and the Masonic He passed away relatively young at age 51 from pneumonia in June 1929. His passing was documented on the front page of the Meriden Record newspaper.
As an aside, by 1907, the Buick Motor Company(named for its founder David Buick) was already a major automotive powerhouse. In fact, it grew so rapidly that it became the top-selling car manufacturer in America by 1908, famously outselling Ford and Cadillac combined. Buick's massive financial success in 1907 and 1908 allowed its general manager, William C. Durant, to use the brand as the foundation to create General Motors (GM) in 1908.

This week's mid week mysteryWhat company in Meriden initially started out by producing funeral furnishings?
09/02/2026

This week's mid week mystery
What company in Meriden initially started out by producing funeral furnishings?

The building that is now the Board of Education was NOT the original high school. The first quarters for Meriden's centr...
09/02/2026

The building that is now the Board of Education was NOT the original high school. The first quarters for Meriden's central high school (initially called the New Central School) opened in 1881 on the second floor of the German-American School on Liberty Street, located near the town hall, before the permanent 1885 high school building was completed nearby.

Pick of the weekDonated by Kara BrasfieldCreated by Emily Przywara Cashman, the donor's great-great-grandmother, and i...
09/01/2026

Pick of the week
Donated by Kara Brasfield
Created by Emily Przywara Cashman, the donor's great-great-grandmother, and is composed of Meriden specific articles related to WWII.

This week at the museumWe are getting very excited about the opening of the fall exhibit...stay tuned as the date approa...
08/31/2026

This week at the museum
We are getting very excited about the opening of the fall exhibit...stay tuned as the date approaches.

This week's Figure it out
08/28/2026

This week's Figure it out

Last week's figure it out is a sewing bird. A sewing bird is a 19th-century mechanical clamp used as a "third hand" dur...
08/28/2026

Last week's figure it out is a sewing bird. A sewing bird is a 19th-century mechanical clamp used as a "third hand" during hand-sewing. Fastened to a table or desk edge, pinching the bird's tail opens its spring-loaded beak to grip and hold fabric taut while hemming or stitching.

The first American patent for a sewing bird was awarded to Charles Waterman on February 15, 1853, right here in Meriden, Before widespread sewing machines, seamstresses used it to stabilize long seams, bindings, and hems on household linens and garments. Common designs featured brass, silver, or cast iron bodies, occasionally accompanied by a companion "agate" or emery-ball attachment to sharpen needles. Many vintage versions also featured an attached pincushion on the bird's back. Pictures are from the National Museum of American History.

https://www.sewingbird.net/blogs/news/look-a-sewing-bird

08/27/2026

Reminder
From War to Welcome is TONIGHT at 6:30 at 41 W Main Street
an engaging exploration of how the Spanish–American War reshaped both Puerto Rico and Meriden in unexpected ways. This lecture traces the story from war and American expansion to the arrival of Puerto Rican families who helped transform Meriden’s neighborhoods, industries, culture, and community life throughout the twentieth century. Reserve your spot below https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/meriden-and-the-spanish-american-war

Address

41 West Main Street
Meriden, CT
06451

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 12pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 1pm - 6pm
Friday 9am - 12pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+12036391913

Website

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