Center for History and Culture
Capital campaign for construction drawings
Planning continues for a transformational project, designed by award winning architect Mark Cavagnero, that will solve critical institutional needs by building climate-controlled facilities to preserve important historical collections and provide new and renovated space for educational programs, exhibits and cultural events. Donate to our campaign for construction drawings.
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
What’s Happening
Grandmother Moon, Read by Author Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason Saturday, April 18th 2-4 p.m.
Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason will read from her new book “Grandmother Moon” and share examples of traditional stories. She will also discuss the importance of oral tradition in Indigenous communities and her process of turning these stories into written form. Native American baskets from the Torrington Historical Society Collection will also be on display.
Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason is an award winning educator, traditional storyteller, author. She is the Assistant Director of Native American and Indigenous Studies at Brown University.
Reconnected: Restoring the Rivers of Long Island Sound April 29th, 6:30 pm
In Connecticut alone, there are more than 5,000 dams, most no longer serving their original purpose, many disconnecting access for fish and wildlife to habitat for breeding, feeding, and nursery grounds. Learn how removing dams will help create more climate resilient river systems, unblock critical habitats, and reduce risk to communities. Presented by Emily Hadzopulos from the Nature Conservancy and Aimee Petras from the Farmington River Watershed Association.
Special thanks to our event sponsor, Thomaston Savings Bank
Folksinger Reggie Harris to Present Concert in Honor of John Brown's Birthday May 9, 3 pm, Five Points Art Center, University Drive, Torrington
Renowned folksinger Reggie Harris will perform for the Historical Society’s annual birthday celebration for noted abolitionist and Torrington native, John Brown, who was born on May 9, 1800.
Harris is an internationally acclaimed performer deeply rooted in the power of song and story. Known for his interest in the Underground Railroad and modern Civil Rights movements, Harris is is a celebrated song leader and advocate for social change.
For more info please visit https://reggieharrismusic.com/
Paul Revere and the Ride that Saved America (USA Today Bestseller) with Author Kostya Kennedy May 13th, 6:30 p.m.
On April 18, 1775, a Boston-based silversmith, engraver and anti-British political operative named Paul Revere set out on a borrowed horse to fulfill a dangerous but crucial mission. Kennedy will discuss his book in which he presents a dramatic new narrative of this event informed by fresh primary and secondary sources researched in archives, family letters, diaries, contemporary accounts and more, revealing that Revere’s ride was far more complex than is typically portrayed.
Kostya Kennedy is the Editor in Chief of Premium Publishing at Dotdash Meredith, the author of several New York Times Bestsellers and has written for numerous outlets including the New York Times, Time and THE NEW YORKER.