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.

Hi Dave - happy to help in person this Spring. How about a reminder notice when you're ready? I like Jack's idea of the BOD approaching the National Park Service. The town manager may be interested in endorsing a board proposal.

When Dave and I were at that cemetery in the winter before last all headstones were upright and in place. It's sad to see that that stone has been on the ground long enough for grass to be growing over it. Dave, is there a cemetery department in Meriden?

Dave,
Please do let us know when you are putting something together. Might be a good time for me to make a visit out to my Brother in Hartford while I am at it.

Meridan/Hartford is a stones throw.. I am interested.. Let me know please.. many times you can fix stone with new modern day epoxy.. Stronger than the stone itself..Lasts along time... I have used it a few times myself....

The world war one monument in down town Meriden is a masterpiece! I have lunch weekly with a gal whose a Meriden native, her grandfather attended church with Parker family. The town had numerous industries and like all of the once industrial north east it deserves better than its current situation.

Only people who appreciate America's once great capacity to produce and tool up for peace or war time can begin to lament the passing of what towns like Meriden reppresent.

amen to that mr daves....our country was and still the greatest place to live and work and bring our familes up.. and to teach them what they have and to hold every thing dear this country stands for.... and part ofour responseability is toteach themto shoot and enjoy the parkers that forefathers put some much time and effort for us to enjoy...and the most important to look to GOD as our forefathers did..... charlie

Just to give our members an update. Your Board of Directors has approved funding for a complete restoration on the gravestones of the Parker family plot situated in the Meriden East Cemetery. I have secured the needed permits/permission. Work has begun today with the headstones being removed and transported to Stratford Monument Works where they will be restored over the winter and reset in the spring. We may plan a dedication ceremony in the spring. We will keep everyone here posted on the progress.

A BIG 'Thank You" to the PGCA BOD for approving this very worthy project...

But more than the thanks the BOD deserves I would like to express my appreciation and unbounded admiration to Dave Suponski who is the spearhead behind this project and so many other PGCA sanctioned functions, events and projects.

YAY Dave!!! :bowdown::clap::cheers:

Thank You for the kudos Dean but our own past board member Allan Swanson was the "kick in the pants" I needed to get moving on this..:) Thank You Allan and the rest of the BOD for supporting this worthy venture.

In that case... Thanks Mr. "Pants Kicker"!! :bigbye:

Progress report....I was called in to the monument co. to inspect the progress. The head stones are done,the Stoney Creek granite bases are done and we are awaiting delivery on the headstone bases as they are going to be remade. One of the original bases was broken in half so we decided it best to replace them both.

My hat's off for ol Dave! Still a few good fellows around. Godspeed ch

Now this is the kind of thing I like to see. Very nice work on the part of everyone involved.

DLH

A very well thought and timely show of respect. Well done to all hands.

Thanks, Dave.

Thanks for the update. I can't wait to come out and see them back up.

I live a little south of Hartford and could provide some muscle if needed when these go back up. I'm not sure if there's a volunteer list for this yet or not.

Dave - Thank you for the update and all the work you have done to get this work done.

Mike,
Dave Suponski really took the bull by the horns so to speak in following thru on this project. It was determined that the extent of deterioration of the monuments was beyond what we members could easily rectify so he sought the help of a professional monument company.The BOD decided that preserving this bit of Parker history was very important to us as an organization. I believe in the end we as members will be proud of what the PGCA has accomplished here and it likely will result in some very good press that we as a gun collectors organization can always use more of. I'm sure Dave has been documenting this project as it progresses and that a very nice story in a future issue of Parker Pages will result for those members who are not involved with this forum. If there is some sort of gathering arranged for the day the stones are reset I'm sure it will be posted for those who would like to attend. Thanks again Dave for making this happen.

great job to Dave and all his helpers , maybe a story for the local news paper too :) scott

Nice work Dave!!

For those who don't know Dave Suponski... he's a bit like a bulldog - once he gets ahold of something he doesn't let go until he's satisfied that it is finished!!

Very nice work my friend.

Wow, outstanding Dave. You make us proud!!!

Larry, thanks for the background information. I wasn't aware of that.

Dave - great job!

Once I know the weekend that they are going up/being dedicated, I am making plans to be there.

I too would like to be there to witness that event and take part and maybe meet Parker enthusiasts I have never met.

Any update on if there will be a dedication gathering or when it will be?

Brian, I checked with the monument company that is doing the restoration this past Friday and we are about 6 weeks from getting the new marble bases for the monuments. In the mean time they are going up to the site in the next few weeks to pour the new footings and lay the granite bases.I will keep everyone informed on the progress as it unfolds.

:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

The dear departed I am sure are looking down and smiling, thank you for all that you have done to restore these stones!

What Gary said, THANKS Dave!