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

Eliot White (Media)

1947 –

Eliot C. White was born in Meriden in 1947 and attended Meriden schools. He graduated from Hotchkiss School as football captain and MVP, and from Syracuse University with a B.A. in English. Eliot was Circulation Manager for San Jose Mercury News for 8 years before returning to the Record-Journal in 1979. He was the fourth generation family owner of the company and worked in various management roles for 44 years including Circulation Director, President and Publisher (198...

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.