Searching for Weidmann’s memorabilia

    When Charles Frazier agreed to take over the operation of Weidmann’s restaurant, he was determined to bring back some of the old atmosphere that was lost when the restaurant was renovated. Now, he’s asking the public to help him find that old Weidmann’s feeling.

    Frazier is looking for memorabilia of the historic downtown eatery — everything from old plates to the moose head that once hung on the wall — with the goal of making the now sleek restaurant feel a little more like the quirky Weidmann’s that was.

    “When they did the renovation about ten years ago, a lot of the old things just got kind of scattered to the wind,” he said. “I’m trying to gather as many old things as I can to get more of that feeling here.”

    Frazier said he would be “honored” to display any memorabilia loaned to the restaurant, and that he’s also looking to purchase items if the price is right.  So far, he said, he hasn’t found any memorabilia that wasn’t in the restaurant already – but the search has just begun.

    Actress and Meridian native Sela Ward, who is also involved in the project, said she and others have been asking around for the location of the some of the original Weidmann’s artifacts, and have just begun making phone calls.

    However, there are some things, such as the hundreds of pictures that used to hang on the wall, of which the whereabouts are unknown.

    Weidmann’s was opened in 1870 by Felix Weidmann and quickly became a Meridian landmark. Easily the most well-known restaurant for miles around, it was once considered a must-visit location for anyone from out of town, and its walls were covered with photos of notable or famous people who stopped by.

    Along with the photos, Weidmann’s was known for the crocks of peanut butter at every table, the moose head that hung on the wall, the “treasure chest” of prizes for children, and the neon sign and mural that greeted visitors outside, among other things.

    It was also known for its food, especially its seafood dishes, blue plate lunches, and famous black bottom pie.

    Frazier and his staff are working to bring some of the old recipes back, and have recruited a woman who’s been making black bottom pie with the original recipe for 30 years to taste their attempts at recreating it.

    They are also developing their own recipes, including a signature dish of catfish belvedere with crabmeat topping that will use local fish.

    Frazier, who previously managed the Crescent City Grill in Meridian, said he hopes to successfully combine memories of the old restaurant with the new recipes and atmosphere he is creating.

    “We won’t be the same restaurant,” he said in May. “We can’t be the same restaurant, but I think we have to bring back some of it. You can turn your back on 140 years of history.”

    With that in mind, Frazier began his tenure as Weidmann’s proprietor by asking the public to share their memories of the old Weidmann’s and its food. The response has been overwhelming.

    “I’ve had upwards of 80 e-mails,” he said, “and a lot of handwritten recipes, and lots of cards of well-wishing.”

    He hopes his call for memorabilia of the pre-renovation restaurant will prove fruitful as well.

    Ward was optimistic that Frazier will meet his goal of recreating some of the feel of the old restaurant.

    Ward was one of the original investors in the renovation, and said she was disappointed with its result. The closing and subsequent re-opening of the restaurant, she said, is an opportunity to restore some of the character that was lost ten years ago – or as she put it, to “bring Weidmann’s back.” 

    “I believe that pieces of our past that are ingrained in the fabric of who we are, that connect us to a sense of place and belonging, are vital to save,” she said. “(Weidmann’s) was one of Meridian’s high treasures… We can never bring it back. But we want to recreate some of that feel.”

    If you have any old Weidmann’s memorabilia that you are willing to loan to the restaurant or offer for sale, you can contact Ward and Frazier by e-mailing weidmanns1870@yahoo.com or calling (601)581-5770.

        Charles Frazier and Sela Ward are looking for any Weidmann’s memorabilia they can find, but have a list of a few specific items as well. Here are some of the things they’re looking for:

— Original hanging globe lights

— Plates

— Beer steins

— Photographs

— Jean’s treasure chest

— Menus

— Newspaper clippings

— Moose head that hung on the wall

— Neon signs

If you have any Weidmann’s memorabilia to loan or offer for sale, you can contact Ward at weidmanns1870@yahoo.com or Frazier at (601)581-5770.