Library & Archives: Scope of the Collection

Approximately 800 linear feet of storage house the society's archival resources
consisting of articles, photos, correspondence and other material that document
the history of Torrington and the individuals and events that contributed to that history.
Divided into categories ranging from churches and clubs to military records and town government, the archives contain several special collections. Among these are account books and ledgers from 19th century Torrington businesses and issues of Torrington newspapers on microfilm and bound volumes.
Torrington's rich industrial past is well represented in the archives with particular emphasis on the Torrington Company, the Torrington Manufacturing Company, and
the Hendey Machine Company. A Torrington industry from 1870 to 1954, the
Hendey Machine Company is the subject of a permanent exhibit at the society and photocopied versions of Hendey machine operator's manuals are available for purchase.
The 1852 map of Torrington published by Richard Clark and Beer's 1874 Atlas of Litchfield County are among the items in the archival map collection that also contains bird's eye views of Torrington and a number of Sanborn Insurance maps.
Among the holdings in the archives is a collection of architectural drawings, most notably the 1000 sets of drawings from the Torrington Building Company. The architectural drawings collection includes the works of Torrington architects William E. Hunt and Carl Victor Johnson.
consisting of articles, photos, correspondence and other material that document
the history of Torrington and the individuals and events that contributed to that history.
Divided into categories ranging from churches and clubs to military records and town government, the archives contain several special collections. Among these are account books and ledgers from 19th century Torrington businesses and issues of Torrington newspapers on microfilm and bound volumes.
Torrington's rich industrial past is well represented in the archives with particular emphasis on the Torrington Company, the Torrington Manufacturing Company, and
the Hendey Machine Company. A Torrington industry from 1870 to 1954, the
Hendey Machine Company is the subject of a permanent exhibit at the society and photocopied versions of Hendey machine operator's manuals are available for purchase.
The 1852 map of Torrington published by Richard Clark and Beer's 1874 Atlas of Litchfield County are among the items in the archival map collection that also contains bird's eye views of Torrington and a number of Sanborn Insurance maps.
Among the holdings in the archives is a collection of architectural drawings, most notably the 1000 sets of drawings from the Torrington Building Company. The architectural drawings collection includes the works of Torrington architects William E. Hunt and Carl Victor Johnson.