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
Summer Concert Series 2025
Summer Concert Series – Jazz in the Garden, Peter McEachern Quintet, Streamin’
Saturday, July 19, 6:30 p.m.
$ 10 admission – Register through Eventbrite link below or at the door.
Peter McEachern returns to the Torrington Historical Society summer concert series with a new line up of jazz musicians playing original music from a soon to be released CD.
The group will be performing original compositions. The music draws from the jazz traditions as well as personal influences and is a starting point for these gifted improvisors to tell their stories.
Peter McEachern – Trombone Peter McEachern has toured and recorded with blues legend Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, has worked with minimalist composer Lamonte Young. He is featured on several important CDs: Insomnia with the Thomas Chapin Trio and Song for Septet twith the Mario Pavone Septet. His newest project Streamin’ featuring Noah Preminger will be released on Truth Revolution Recordings in 2025.
Noah Preminger, Sax
Of Boston-based saxophonist Noah Preminger, The New York Times declares “Mr. Preminger designs a different kind of sound for each note, an individual destiny and story.” Preminger, a two-time winner of Downbeat Magazine’s Rising Star Best Tenor Saxophonist, has recorded over twenty critical acclaimed albums as a band leader.
Zwelahke-Duma Belle le Pere, Bass
Bassist Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and grew up in New Haven, attending Educational Center for the Arts. He then attended New England Conservatory, graduating with a masters degree. Since then he has traveled the world playing jazz festivals.
Michael Sarin, Percussion
A veteran of the New York music scene, Michael has played with an amazing array of greats. His drumming blends precise rhythmic frameworks with free improvisation, noted for its dynamic textures and polyrhythmic complexity.
Andrew Wilcox, Piano
Andrew is a frequent performer in the Northeast, where he is a regular member of the Haneef Nelson Quintet and Ed Byrne Quartet, among other groups. In addition, Andrew fronts his own trio and sextet that perform his original compositions and arrangements.
Bring your own lawn chairs and refreshments. For additional information, please see the Events link on the right side of our homepage.
Link for tickets below:
Jazz In the Garden – Streamin’
We hope to see you there!
We recently completed giving school programs and hosting visiting students to The Hotchkiss Flyer House and Torrington History Museum. We thought you might enjoy seeing some of the images that we share with the students as we teach them about Torrington's history.

Early Water Street
Moving Coe Park Rock
Allen House Hotel with Carriages, East Main and Main Streets

Come Visit the Beautiful Hotchkiss Fyler Gardens - Free and open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset.


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.