Torrington Historical Society
192 Main Street, Torrington, CT  (860) 482-8260
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Visit the John Brown Birthplace Site

Although the house where John Brown was born is no longer standing the birthplace site is still a profoundly moving place to visit and to contemplate America's tragic history of African American slavery and John Brown's role in ending that injustice.  The site of the birthplace is maintained as
a clearing on the side of John Brown Road.  The quiet, contemplative nature of the site is enhanced by the fact that the homestead clearing is surrounded by 100 acres of preserved land that is now a heavily forested watershed.  

Visitors can park along John Brown Road in front of the birthplace. At the site visitors can see the granite marker that was erected in 1932 to commemorate the place of  John Brown's birth. The granite marker is placed where the front door of the house once stood.  Visitors can also view historic features of the site such as the stone all along the road and some barn foundations to the west of the house site. The ground around the home site is uneven so caution is advised. 

More adventurous visitors can walk in John Brown's footsteps by following the two-thirds mile loop trail through the property. The trail is generally flat and gentle but some portions of it may be wet at certain times of the the year.  There are several short boardwalks over the wettest places. 


State Archaeological Preserve: 
In 2003 the John Brown birthplace was listed on the State Register of Historic Places and designated as a State Archaeological Preserve. That designation recognizes the historic and archaeological importance of the John Brown Birthplace and provides measures for its protection such as penalties for un-authorized ground disturbance at the site.

To learn more about John Brown visit the Torrington Historical Society Museum at 192 Main Street or visit the Torrington Post Office on East Elm St to view the series of John Brown murals created by Arthur Covey in 1937.  A small portion of the Torrington Historical Society's permanent history exhibit is devoted to John Brown and displays artifacts from his birthplace, from his raid on Harpers Ferry, and from his execution.   

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