Visit to Meriden, CT
 

I'm engaged in doing some supplier capacity assessments for a major aviation company, and it looks like I will be visiting Meriden, CT soon.

Needless to say, I will plan some extended time in that area to visit the site of the old Parker factory and any other recommended spots.

Brian Dudley, I remember you (and others on that thread) talking about what the modern condition is of the old Charles Parker factory, but what can anyone tell me about Meriden and what I should look for?

Thanks in advance, folks. I'm pretty excited about visiting the birthplace of these old guns that we care for.....

Dave

You should take in the wonderful displays at the Meriden Historical Society.

Also visit the Parker plots at the cemetary.

Do you have one of the digital Parker Pages archive thumb drives?
If so, look up the two articles on the PGCA tours of Meriden.





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Being from the south and Meriden so foreign before I got the Parker bug, I had the same want to visit Meriden as I suspect you do. So, when we got to Hartford I had my sister-in-law take me there. You will take on the aura of New England in the Industrial Age which we didn’t typically see in the South, especially Appalachia. The town appeared very quaint now, but your imagination takes you back to well to do manufacturing owners and a lot of folks who had some money. The site is void of most of the Parker buildings, the cemetery has many old graves with big tombstones. Sadly, a few years ago a bunch of PGCA volunteers cleaned up, de-brushed, replaced and repaired some markers of the Parker family, and when we were there it had grown back over. I got the feeling that us Parker folks felt closer to these folks than any remaining survivors. The museum was not open when I was there and I think that is an important visit. It’s sure worth the time to poke around. Enjoy!

Thanks Mike

It was Dave Suponski who spearheaded the whole Parker/Meriden Cemetary Redesication project and went so far as to have new bases made for 2 of the Parker headstone, that of Charles Parker and of his wife’s. A huge undertaking by our Mr. Suponski. It was a great event for all in attendance.





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My visit was 1 1/2 years ago and the bushes had all but taken over one marker, I was really saddened that all the work was for naught. I know there was a lot of work done and if I’m not mistaken we spent at least $5,000.

That’s right Mike. When Dave contacted the Cemetary Dept. a few years back about the disgraceful condition of the cemetary grounds he was told that “maintenance was just not in the budget.”






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Really sad for a town with that much history, in the community and in the cemetery. They were sure proud or obligated to their folks when they were buried, but a few more years and folks will have to hunt for their memories.

Unfortunately, since the City of Meriden can’t seem to appropriate the funds to pay one person to mow, prune and maintain (and that’s all it would take, 1 full-time employee) the cemetary grounds, even if only in recognition of what an outside entity (PGCA) had done/spent to improve the appearance of the Parker family plots, I doubt we’ll see the PGCA taking the lead in this kind of endeavor in the future.





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Certainly check out the pile of bricks that was the Parker factory. The office building still stands next door.

The historical society would be a great visit, but make sure to contact them ahead of time. I think they are only open by appointment or just one day a week or something.

Bring your own chain saw and loppers and clear the brush away from the plot.

Sadly, that’s probably the only way it will get done.

Oh, and bring a lawnmower and rake too.





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Without making this political, the aid to cities and towns, during the past 8 years has been severely reduced. Meriden has for many years been suffering from the exodus of their small industrial base, and the tax burden fell on a residential base of lower incomes. Funding the maintainance of a municipal property which doesn’t benefit the living taxpayer isn’t high on their list. Further, that cemetery, historical as it may be, is essentially closed, as there are no more plots available.

Aside from the sad news regarding the state of the cemetery, I sure appreciate everyone's feedback on how to best visit Meriden. If I was driving, I would be more than happy to haul along some tools and get the Parker plot cleaned up. Unfortunately, expediency for these assessment visits usually dictates airline travel from Nashville. I doubt the TSA guys would approve of lawn care implements in my carry-on, eh?

Good tip on the Museum, Brian. I'll be sure to make prior arrangements, if they are amenable to my timing.

I'm looking forward to the visit, no matter what I see. I'll post some pictures after my time in the hometown of our beloved Parker's.

Dave

When the PGCA held its "Meriden Homecoming" in June of 2003, The site of the original Parker Gun Works was a fenced-off lot overgrown with weeds and rubble from the 1970 fire that destroyed the factory, but the little office building hard by the railroad tracks that housed the office on the second floor where guns were packaged for shipping still stands. Shortly thereafter, a PGCA team retrieved a treasure trove of hanging tags and "other paperwork" from the soot-laden attic.

Per Brian's advice on the historical society, BE SURE to call ahead to make an appointment for a visit. With today's economic situation, many state and municipal museums (many of which are outstanding) are open on a very restricted schedule.

A few pictures on one of our more recent PGCA visits to Meriden.


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Oh, my gosh, Dean! Great photos! Thanks so much for taking the time to share them! I just got off the phone with my client, and it looks like I'll be in Meriden on Thursday, April 11. I'm very much looking forward to it, no matter I find. I sure hope I can get into the museum. I'll go to work on that next week, well in advance of my visit.

Thanks again, Dean.

Dave

if i lived close to meridan i would not mind keeping that cemetary up....i have done 3 little cemetary here in the south clean most of my life but sadly mother nature will take over when i pass this life....charlie