The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Historical society reopens, plans events, programs
TORRINGTON — The Torrington Historical Society has opened for the tour season, and welcomes visitors from near and far. In the history museum, permanent exhibits include No Place Like Home: The History of Torrington and Pursuit of Precision: The Hendey Machine Company. They are open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, free of charge.
Guided tours of the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum will be available from 12-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Tours are on the hour at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Admission is free for members and children under 12, and $7 for guests.
John H. Thompson Library & Archives, the society's research library, is open by appointment Wednesday - Friday. Email torringtonhistorical@snet.net to schedule a visit.
Upcoming programs: John Brown's Birthday Celebration, 7 p.m., May 9. The celebration will include comments, music and a dramatic presentation, at Five Points Center for the Visual Arts, 855 University Drive, Torrington. The program includes an introduction from Mark McEachern, Torrington Historical Society ; African Drumming: Angaza Mwando, Our Culture is Beautiful; John Brown Videos with Jacque Williams and Dan Morrison, Culture 4 A Cause; Quotes from Harriet Beecher Stowe, Karen Moreno; Harriet Tubman. a dramatic presentation by Effie Mwando, Our Culture is Beautiful; and African Drumming: Angaza Mwando , Our Culture is Beautiful
A reception follows with birthday cake and coffee. There is no charge to attend. This event is sponsored by the Torrington Historical Society with collaborations from Culture 4 A Cause, Our Culture is Beautiful and Five Points Arts.
Virtual program: "Curious, Splendid & Dubious Days: Life in 1870s Torrington as Seen Through the Eyes of a Teenager, presented by museum educator Sue Weston, 6:30 p.m., May 25. This illustrated program is based on the diaries of Charlie McNeil who, as a teen, recorded in great detail the day-to-day activities in Torrington as well as the trials and tribulations of his young life.
Garden Volunteers: The society is in need of volunteers to help in the Hotchkiss gardens throughout the spring, summer and early fall. The Garden Committee meets every other Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon and experience is not required. To learn more, email torringtonhistorical@snet.net.
From the Collection: Historic collections help preserve history and often shed light on places that no longer exist. Such is the case with this photograph of East Branch Pond. Formerly located near Old St. Francis Cemetery, the pond has been gone from Torrington's landscape for nearly 70 years. East Branch Pond served many purposes including providing a spot for Torrington residents to swim and skate and, in the days before electric refrigerators, it was also one of several Torrington ponds and lakes where ice was harvested. The icehouse pictured in the photo was a year-round storage facility for ice cut from the pond.
What became of this pond? The August 1955 flood devastated Torrington and with the destruction and loss of life came tons of debris - and no place to put it. A decision was made to fill in East Branch Pond with the debris. Later, Willow Gardens Housing was built on the former site of East Branch Pond.