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

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Featured Inductee

George Jeffrey (Historic Persons)

1830 – 1906

George S. Jeffrey was born in 1830 in Middletown Ct. and migrated to Meriden in 1852 where he operated a barber Shop for the next 45 years. George Jeffrey became a well known Republican figure on the local, state and national level advocating for African Americans. George and his brother R.A. Jeffrey were instrumental in the organization and development of the Lincoln Colored People’s Association of Meriden which Later was to be known as the Linc...

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.