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
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 8.
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.