Visit • Discover • Learn
Located in three historic buildings in downtown Torrington, the Torrington Historical Society is home to the Torrington History Museum, the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum and the John H. Thompson Library & Archive. The Society also owns the West Torrington site where noted abolitionist John Brown was born.
We invite you to discover the history of Torrington by touring our exhibits and house museum, attending programs and events, using our research library or visiting the John Brown Birthplace. All are welcome.
Torrington
History Museum
Hotchkiss-Fyler House
Guided Tours
The John H. Thompson
Library & Archive
PLEASE NOTE!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WE WILL RESCHEDULE AT SOME POINT NEXT YEAR! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! A Look Back in Time - Share Your Favorite Torrington Holiday Memories - December 10th, 6:30 p.m. Everyone has a favorite holiday story - come share yours
We are inviting you to join us to look back on the many Torrington memories of the holiday season. Torrington, with its rich immigrant history, has multiple layers of traditions — some deeply embedded in familial cultural roots while others shaped by popular trends of more recent decades, all helping to create a medley of diverse perspectives and experiences. You might share:
- The holidays you celebrate and how your family’s heritage influences how you celebrate
- Recipes you prepare every year or the special foods that have to be on your holiday table
- The stores and businesses that played a part in your holiday memories – where you purchased food or gifts or admired window displays or decorations
- Special outings and events you attended to help celebrate the season
The possibilities are endless.
What you share should have a Torrington connection and be about 2 – 3 minutes long at most. If you have an object or two or a photo that helps to tell your story, please bring it! We want this to be a fun, informative and celebratory get together where everyone can participate.
Whether sharing or listening – we hope to see you there! For more information on the evening and how it will work, and to get tickets, please click below
Holiday tours at the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum
Take a guided tour of one of Connecticut’s notable house museums, decorated for the Christmas season. Operated by the Torrington Historical Society, the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum, built in 1900, features original family furnishings, impressive woodwork, painted and stenciled walls, and collections of fine and decorative arts. During the holiday season the house takes on a special ambiance when it is decorated with Christmas trees, vintage ornaments, wreaths, greenery, and white lights. Antique toys from the Society’s collection will also be on display and the dining room table will be set for Christmas dinner with linens, fine china, silverware and crystal from the Hotchkiss collection. Tours are for the first and second floors of the home.
Day time Tours Admission:
$15 Non Members; $5 for Torrington Historical Society members and children under the age of 6.
Evening Candlelight Tours Admission:
$20 Non Members; Members $15
Thank you!
History Education Center Community Forum
Watch • Learn • Share
The link below will bring you to our History Education Center web page. Here you can learn more about this transformational project, watch a video presentation from the community forum, and access an online form to share your thoughts and ideas with us.