John H. Thompson Memorial Research Library Directions, Hours & Admission Temporarily closed due to Covid 19. Send your research requests by email to torringtonhistorical@snet.net
With over 2000 books and pamphlets in its collection, the library's titles focus is on works of Torrington history, as well as Litchfield County and Connecticut history. Among the library offerings are Orcutt's History of Torrington, Connecticut, the 3-volume history of Torrington by Bess and Merrill Bailey titled The Formative Years, The Growth Years and The Annealing Years, the 1994 publication Erastus Hodges 1781-1847 by Theodore B. Hodges, and The John Brown Birthplace by David Ross Bennett.
Additional resources include the Torrington directories dating to the late 19th century and Historic Resource Surveys of Torrington's central business district or downtown, West Torrington, and the Torringford area.
The library has a number of biographical works on both individuals and families of note in Torrington history along with genealogical works compiled and contributed by local families.
The library also has an extensive collection of books about famed abolitionist and Torrington native, John Brown. Research material on John Brown and his Torrington birthplace is housed in the library archives.
