Torrington History Collection: Manufacturing History
James Ashborn Guitar & Arvid Dayton Reed Organ (click to enlarge)
One of the most significant collections at the Society is the Manufacturing History Collection which numbers in excess of 600 objects, most of which are items manufactured in Torrington from the early 19th century to the present.
The majority of artifacts in this collection are products made at large, former industries such as the Coe Brass Company, the Torrington Company, Fitzgerald Manufacturing Company, Union Hardware Company, Turner & Seymour Manufacturing, Hendey Machine Company and the Warrenton Woolen Mill. Current manufacturers are also represented in this collection as are individuals and small businesses that formerly manufactured, or currently make, products for the market.
Among the diverse artifacts in this collection are: brass kettles, early 19th century wooden-works clocks, a rare 1850s guitar made by James Ashborn, mid 19thcentury reed organs made at the Arvid Dayton factory, needles, bicycles, machinery, tools, woolen cloth, ice and roller skates, household appliances and sporting goods.
Late 20th and early 21st century industrial products in the collection include items
made by Borgeson Mfg. Co., Torrington Research Company and Altek Corporation.
A recent and significant 21st century addition to the collection is an “A-Wedge”
acoustic guitar made by Torrington luthier, Kevin Michael Clark.
The majority of artifacts in this collection are products made at large, former industries such as the Coe Brass Company, the Torrington Company, Fitzgerald Manufacturing Company, Union Hardware Company, Turner & Seymour Manufacturing, Hendey Machine Company and the Warrenton Woolen Mill. Current manufacturers are also represented in this collection as are individuals and small businesses that formerly manufactured, or currently make, products for the market.
Among the diverse artifacts in this collection are: brass kettles, early 19th century wooden-works clocks, a rare 1850s guitar made by James Ashborn, mid 19thcentury reed organs made at the Arvid Dayton factory, needles, bicycles, machinery, tools, woolen cloth, ice and roller skates, household appliances and sporting goods.
Late 20th and early 21st century industrial products in the collection include items
made by Borgeson Mfg. Co., Torrington Research Company and Altek Corporation.
A recent and significant 21st century addition to the collection is an “A-Wedge”
acoustic guitar made by Torrington luthier, Kevin Michael Clark.