Meriden Today
 

I took a little trip up to Hartford,CT today chasing a gun and on the way home decided that because it was such a balmy day here in the Northeast I would go visit some old haunts(pun intended)

Picture 1) Mr Allen Weathers who at 84 years young is still the curator of the Meriden Historical Society. Allen has done an incredible job for the PGCA over the years with his research of Meriden records. We spent an enjoyable hour chewing-the-fat at his sister in laws antique shop.
Picture 2)Mr. Charles Parker's final resting spot. A couple interesting things here.Just to the left of Charles grave is the cut of woods that seperates the cemetery from the Wilcox house(Wilbers home) Also notice the ridgeline in the background.This ridgeline is pictured in period printings of the Parker factory.

Picture3)Dexter Parker's gravestone in the family plot.

And the bad news. Two of the gravestones the PGCA restored back in 2002 have been knocked down again. My thoughts are that if we can get some interest maybe we could get a work detail back up to the Meriden East Cemetery in the spring to make this right. It will take a few guys as these stones are 250+lbs. each. I know who to get in touch with in the Meriden town hall to get the proper okays.

Do you think they were blown over or purposely knocked over by A!!!!!!!!!s. Is the burial ground in town or the country, and were any others down or just the Parker head stones?

Gary, I really can't say. This cemetery was all but forgotten when we first visited it many years ago. Badly overgrown and vandalized. When the PGCA contacted the town manager of our intentions to restore the Parker family plot he took an interest and vowed to clean it up to a level due those interred there and for the most part they have done that. The damage could have been done by vandals or some of the snows and strong storms we have had in the past few years. The cemetery sits on a hilltop so who knows.

Dave, most definitely an admirable proposal. I'm such a long way from Meriden that it would not be reasonable for me, but I know we have close members and I will be there in spirit and gratitude for you fellows.
Bruce

Thanks Bruce. This can done in a day easy. I could show members who have never visited Meriden the sights. There is still quite a bit of Parker influence throughout the town. We'll see how it all hammers out..

im with yall to in spirit... the parkers deserve to have a nice resting place.... charlie

Someone, maybe the BOD, might want to look into making a presentation to the USNPS to have the grave-sites and the last building standing from the gunworks declared a National Historic Site. If successful, there would be funds dedicated to restoration and ongoing maintenance. Given the gun is considered the best American built shotgun and there is an active association dedicated to collection and preservation of these functional works of art, it seems worth a shot. (40 yards #6 1 oz oughta do it). Tax dollars at work through the National Parks Service may just be the way to go.

Cheers,
Jack (fan of National Parks)

Dave, I missed the first trip. I would be interested in the next one. Please don't call until early spring.

Will do Bill and thanks.