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

Joseph Pierce (Historic Persons)

1842 – 1916

Joseph Pierce was born on November 10, 1842 in Guangzhou (Canton), China. At the age of 10, his father sold him to sea captain Amos Peck of Berlin, Connecticut in 1852 for 6 silver dollars, and Peck brought him to live on the Peck family farm on Chamberlain Highway. He was likely one of the few Chinese in Connecticut and New England. On July 26, 1862, Pierce enlisted in the 14th Regiment, Company F of the Connecticut Volunteer Infantry...

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.