About
About the Meriden Hall of Fame Association
Organized in 1975, the Meriden Hall of Fame Association was established to honor prominent people who live or have lived in Meriden, who have distinguished themselves in their professional and private lives, and in so doing, have brought honor to the city of Meriden. Permanent plaques honoring the inductees are displayed in Meriden City Hall.
Nominees are inducted in 12 categories: Art, Business/Commerce, Community Service, Education, Law/Government/Military, Literature, Media, Performing Arts, Philanthropy, Science/Medicine, Sports, and Historic Persons.
Click here to learn more about the nominations process.
Click here to watch recordings of past Induction Ceremonies on YouTube.
History of the Meriden Hall of Fame Association
Fifty years ago, in 1975, a small group of visionary citizens—Charles Byron, Joseph P. Coffey, Salvatore P. Giacobbe, Max E. Muravnick, and Roger W. King—came together with a shared belief. They recognized that while the nation had its Academy Awards and sports halls of fame, Meriden needed its own way to recognize the extraordinary contributions of those who live or work here. As Roger King, who would later serve as a president of our association, believed, this was to be "the world's only municipal hall of fame."
Their ultimate goal was simple, yet profound: to honor individuals whose commitment enhanced Meriden’s community and quality of life.
Half a century later, their legacy is still evident as we continue inducting new classes into the Hall of Fame, and as we continue to adorn the walls of City Hall with the plaques of our inductees whose lives and impacts shaped Meriden’s past and present.
From those early years of Hall of Fame meetings in private homes and our first ceremony on Sunday, May 23, 1982 at the then Yale Inn (900 East Main Street, Meriden), the Meriden Hall of Fame has grown far beyond the original categories of Arts, Benefactors, and Sports. We now proudly recognize excellence across 12 distinct fields, ensuring that we capture the true diverse tapestry of Meriden’s remarkable story.
