~~~   Upcoming Events   ~~~

Please scroll down for details about the following events:

Face to Face:  The Loomis Portraits by John Brewster, Jr.

** Under the Stars and Stripes Dinner **

Locally Grown History:  It’s In Your Backyard

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Face to Face:  The Loomis Portraits by John Brewster, Jr.

     Through October 31, 2008.  A new, temporary exhibit featuring Connecticut born artist John Brewster, Jr.’s 1822 portraits of Torrington natives Reverend Harvey Loomis and Ann Battell Loomis.

     Rev. Harvey Loomis and his wife, Anna Battell Loomis represented much of the promise of early 19^th century New England.  Raised in Torringford, the couple moved to Maine where their portraits were painted by itinerant artist John Brewster.

     John Brewster, Jr. was born in Hampton, CT but also lived in Massachusetts and Maine, where he painted the Loomis portraits.  At age 51, he was a member of the first class of the American School For the Deaf in 1817.  His style is recognized for its warmth and humanity.

     The lives of the subjects, the work of the artist, and a glimpse of the world each inhabited are presented... Face to Face.

Tues. – Fri. 10:00 – 4:00; Sat. – Sun. 12:00 – 4:00              Suggested donation $2.00

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Saturday, September 6, 2008  ** Under the Stars and Stripes Dinner **

Proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit the re-creation, purchase and installation of wallpaper for the stairway and second floor hallway of the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum.

Step back in time to 1909 for an elegant dinner served in a softly lit tent on the grounds of Torrington’s Hotchkiss-Fyler Estate.  Savor a sumptuous dinner prepared by Cuisine with Jill Nicholson and enjoy historical interpreter Ted Zalewski as he brings the essence of America’s twentieth president, Teddy Roosevelt, to life in Teddy Roosevelt: Mind, Body and Spirit.

     Seating is limited; early reservations are encouraged.  Tickets are $100.00 per person, but you can reserve a table of eight seats at the reduced rate of $640.00 (a savings of $20.00 per person).  If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation to the Wallpaper Restoration Fund, please send your check to the Historical Society or phone the society to use your credit card. 

     *Note:  a unique arrangement has been made so dinner guests may dress in period costumes.  The Warner Theatre Costume Shop is offering costume rental for “Under the Stars & Stripes” dinner guests at the special rate of $30.00.  Please call the Costume Shop at (860)489-7180, ext. 114 to make an appointment.

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Locally Grown History:  It’s In Your Backyard

          Labor Day Weekend through October 19, 2008 ~ Many historic sites and museums in the greater Litchfield Hills are partnering with the Torrington Campus of UCONN to present this innovative program celebrating the region’s wonderful historic resources.  With the support of the NW CT Convention and Visitors’ Bureau and the Arts Council of NW CT, history organizations are promoting visitation through a history hunt.  Each site individually has unique offerings and collectively have something for virtually every interest.  Pick up your map and passport and have it stamped each time you visit a participating site or one of the many agricultural venues who are joining in this celebration.  Prizes will be awarded to visitors whose passports have been drawn after the final weekend and have obtained the required number of stamps

     The final weekend of October 18^th and 19^th will feature special events to culminate the weeks of celebration. On Saturday the 18^th, each of the historic sites will have a special program.  The Torrington Historical Society will offer free admission to the History Museum’s exhibit No Place Like Home and the temporary exhibit Face to Face: the Loomis Portraits by John Brewster, Jr.  Additionally, Curator Gail Kruppa will present a free lecture, offering additional insight and background into the Face to Face exhibit at 1:00 and again at 3:00.  On October 19^th, UCONN will host a public forum of lectures and discussions celebrating the wealth of history in our area.  State Historian Walt Woodward will give the keynote address and facilitate the roundtable discussion.  Admission is $8.00 per person with a special rate of $5.00 for seniors (60+) and teachers.  Students with ID and ECE teachers are admitted free.

     For a list of participating venues and additional information, go to www.locallygrownhistory.org or call UCONN (860)626-6802 or Torrington Historical Society (860)482-8260.