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Help Us Preserve
and share Torrington's history

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Help Us Preserve
and share Torrington's history

Donate Now

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


 

Animal Mascots of the Civil War with Professor Hamish LutrisNovember 6, 6:30 p.m.  Learn about the little known and much loved animal mascots of the Civil War. Please purchase tickets through Eventbrite as tickets are limited. See you there!

 The Civil War was fought by citizen armies that often had their own, very un-military, ways of fighting. One thing they did was to bring or adopt animals of many kinds. This talk will focus on those much-loved unit mascots. The idea of using animals to represent military units throughout history will be discussed as well as the particular animals honored in Civil War lore and memorialization. The audience should learn something of the more personal side of war that is often examined only in terms of causalities and logistics.

 

 

 Center Cemetery Halloween Walking Tours

Friday October 25th – Tours take place every 20 minutes starting at 6 pm.  Members tickets $8, Non Members $10. Please sign up on Eventbrite (link below) as space is limited. Children five and under are free and do not require registration. 
 
Center Cemetery is the only remaining burial ground in Downtown Torrington. Tour guides will lead groups through the cemetery by lantern with stops at seven graves where actors will share the stories of early Torrington residents. Tours will start at the Torrington Historical Society (meet at the shed on the property near the cemetery gate to the left of the Carriage House) and end at the Main cemetery entrance behind City Hall. Please arrive 5 minutes ahead of time and bring a flashlight. Parking available behind the Historical Society or on the street. In the event of rain, the event will be held on Saturday, October 26th. Tours are presented in conjunction with the Halloween Hoopla Downtown event. Proceeds to benefit Torrington Historical Society education programs. 
 

FALL PROGRAMS

Our 2024 Adult Educational Programs are sponsored by Torrington Savings Bank.

Thank you!

 

 

Upcoming Events

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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.