History Bites lecture set for Thursday

TORRINGTON – Once again, a consortium of cultural organizations in Connecticut’s northwest corner is presenting History Bites, a free lunchtime lecture series which is intended to share topics of local history with regional audiences. The History Bites series is sponsored by the Connecticut Community Foundation. Torrington Historical Society’s program will be held May 23 at 12 p.m., at the Torrington Historical Society Carriage House Gallery, 192 Main St. Attendees are invited to bring lunch; beverages and dessert will be provided by each organization.

The theme for the 2019 History Bites series, “Who’s Behind This,”looks at the players behind the stories. Mark McEachern, Executive Director of the Torrington Historical Society, will present “Behind The Lines: Torrington’s World War I Soldiers.” This fully illustrated talk is based on the 2018 exhibit at the Torrington Historical Society, All Hands on Deck Torrington and World War I.

The lecture will focus on the stories of Torrington veterans who served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France in 1918. Many of these soldiers were attached to Company M of the 26th Division known as the Yankee Division. Photographs of Torrington soldiers and pictures of World War I artifacts from the Society’s collection will be used to highlight the service of these veterans during the war. Also included will be maps, historic photos of the front lines and information about the home front activities in Torrington during the war.

The next program in the History Bites series will be held at Litchfield Historical Society, 7 South Street, Litchfield. Alex Dubois, Curator of Collections, will present Biltmore to Bomber Seats: The History of Warren McArthur.

For more information, visit www.litchfieldhistorical society.org.