Torrington Historical Society

10/14/2026

Join us, Saturday, 4pm at 855 University Drive, “Write Me at Every Opportunity” commissioned by the Preston Historical Society, will be performed by Pocket Productions, a new nonprofit theater group based in Torrington CT!

Based on letters written during the American Revolution, this play brings to life the hardships faced by Nathan and Lois Peters of Preston, CT while Nathan served in the Continental Army and Lois managed the family farm and cared for two young children.

Short quotes from the couple's correspondence were also used in the Ken Burn's documentary, "The American Revolution!"

Register and buy tickets below!

The letters Connecticut couple Nathan and Lois Peters wrote to each other during the Revolutionary War form the basis of this production.

10/13/2026

This Saturday, 4pm at 855 University Drive, don't miss Pocket Productions "Write Me at Every Opportunity" an adaption from Revolutionary War era letters!

Visit the link below to learn more and get your tickets!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/write-me-at-every-opportunity-a-revolutionary-war-story-stage-performance-tickets-1998963422407?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/03/2026

Happy 182nd Birthday to our very own Mary Vaill Fyler!

She was born on this fine October day in 1844, in Cornwall, Connecticut and before she married Orsamus Roman Fyler in 1865, she was a school teacher for several years! In 1868, she would give birth to her only child, Gertrude Fyler Hotchkiss, who would bequeath her inherited home to the Torrington Historical Society after her death in 1956. In an article from the Register on Mary’s ninetieth birthday in 1934, it stated: “Mrs. Fyler has always been deeply interested in local affairs, has an exceptionally wide acquaintance and is one of the most highly respected women in this part of the state.”

We thank Mary for her home and we wish her a Happy Birthday!

09/30/2026

Join us, October 17th at Five Points Art Center at 855 University Drive at 4pm for "Write Me at Every Opportunity"!

A stage adaptation based on American Revolutionary War correspondence between husband and wife Nathan and Lois Peters from Preston, Connecticut! The phrase "Write Me at Every Opportunity" appears frequently in the couple's letters during this time.

Admission is $10 for non-members and $7 for Torrington Historical Society members. Visit the link below to purchase tickets and we will see you there!
https://www.eventbrite.com/events/1998963422407/dashboard/?eid=1998963422407

09/22/2026

Happy first day of fall!

Here is a mixer from Fitzgerald Manufacturing Company that would be good to use for this fall recipe from a Torringford Congregational Church cookbook that we have in our collection!

Have any of you used this mixer from Fitzgerald Manufacturing Company for your fall recipes?

09/18/2026

As summer comes to a close, here is a look at our beautiful Hotchkiss-Fyler Gardens from this year and years past!

09/16/2026

This is a close up of a book marker acquired by Florimond Fyler at the 1876 Centennial that was held in Philadelphia!

Come see this artifact and more in our “Echoes of Freedom” Exhibit located in the Carriage House Gallery, 192 Main Street, open Tuesday through Saturday 12pm to 4pm from now until September 26th!

Don’t miss out!

09/10/2026

Winfield Scott Clime and the Lyme Art Colony, Free Event
Presented by Amy Kurtz Lansing, Curator at the Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme
Wednesday, Sept 16th, 6:30 pm at the Torrington Historical Society

The Hotchkiss-Fyler family clearly appreciated, and had a relationship with this talented landscape artist and photographer as several of his paintings are hanging in their home, now the Historical Society's Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum, one even depicting the family’s garden and home! Amy Kurtz Lansing will discuss the career of this gifted artist and photographer, his experiences as a photographer during WWI, and his connection to the Old Lyme Art Colony.

Please register using the link below. We look forward to seeing you there!

09/04/2026

Join us in a free event, Wednesday, September 16th at 6:30pm at the Torrington Historical Society, on Winfield Scott Clime and the Lyme Art Colony presented by Amy Kurtz Lansing, Curator at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT!

The Torrington Historical Society has several of Clime’s paintings in the Hotchkiss-Fyler house on display as when the family lived in the home showing their appreciation of his art. Curator Amy Kurtz Lansing will discuss the career of this talented landscape artist and photographer during WWI, his connection to the Old Lyme Art Colony and Torrington!

Please register at the link below and we'll see you there!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winfield-scott-clime-and-the-lyme-art-colony-tickets-1999716520945?aff=erelpanelorg

08/25/2026

Did you know, by law, a star representing each new state must be added to the official U.S. flag on the 4th of July following its admission to the Union?

Find this rare, sixteen-star handstitched flag at our Echoes of Freedom Exhibit located in the Carriage House Gallery at 192 Main Street, Tuesday through Saturday 12pm to 4pm from now until September 26th!