ANNOUNCING THE CLASS OF 2026

The Meriden Hall of Fame is proud to announce our class of 2026 inductees:
Gary “Tex” Burt, in the category of Community Service
Justin Piccirillo, in the category of Literature
Michael Roberts, in the category of Sports
Ashbil Griswold, in the category of Historic Persons

Join us for the 2026 Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Meriden Public Library. The event is free and open to the public.

Inductees

Become
a Member Vote for the
next inductees. learn more ›

Featured Inductee

Martha Minerva Franklin (Science/Medicine)

1870 – 1968

Martha Minerva Franklin was born in 1870 in New Milford, CT., moved to Meriden at the age of 5 when there were few people of color living in the city. She graduated Meriden High School, and in 1897 graduated from the Women’s Hospital Training School for Nurses of Philadelphia, as the only African American in her class. She returned to Meriden and worked as a private nurse before relocating to New Haven. Ms. Franklin experienced the challenges of discriminatio...

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE STAMPS HONORING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Rosa Ponselle
Inducted: 1977 | Stamp released: 1997

Thomas Anthony "Tomie" dePaola
Inducted: 1985 | Stamp released: 2023

2023 U.S. Postal Service stamp honoring 1985 inductee Thomas Anthony “Tomie” dePaola and his Caldecott Medal–winning children’s book Strega Nona.