Special Anniversary Events
Left at the Library- May 23rd at 6:00pm
Registration begins May 1st
Over 160 years the Library has been gifted unique and historically significant items that reflect not only American history, but our local community and the people who have lived here. Did you know that the Library has two original George Washington signed documents? Or three hand-written signed letters by Torrington native, John Brown. How about a glass collection donated by the famed Coe Family? Learn about the hidden treasures that have been left at the library throughout our 160 year history.
160 Years of Retail Stores in Torrington- Thursday, July 18th at 6pm
The Men (and Women) Who Built the Library- August 9th at 11:00am
Registration begins July 15th
In 1864 a group of men in Torrington gathered to do something good for the community. That good was building a Library. Who were these men that built the Torrington Library and how did they build an institution from the ground up? Join us as we look back at not only these men, but various other citizen committed their time and resources to Torrington and the Library, helping it remain one of the oldest institutions in Torrington.
Registration begins May 1st
Over 160 years the Library has been gifted unique and historically significant items that reflect not only American history, but our local community and the people who have lived here. Did you know that the Library has two original George Washington signed documents? Or three hand-written signed letters by Torrington native, John Brown. How about a glass collection donated by the famed Coe Family? Learn about the hidden treasures that have been left at the library throughout our 160 year history.
- Historic Headlines at the Library- Friday, June 21st at 11am
- Registration begins June 1st
- Imagine opening your business during the height of a Civil War, and months later the President of the United States is assassinated. Imagine that same business surviving through two World Wars, the Great Depression, Prohibition, multiple United State’s presidents, the sinking of Titanic, the War on Terror, the invention of moving pictures, the talking pictures, and finally a global pandemic, just to name a few historic events. We’ll explore the historic headlines that captivated a nation during the Library’s 160 years. This is a must see for history buffs and library lovers!
160 Years of Retail Stores in Torrington- Thursday, July 18th at 6pm
- Registration begins July 1st
- Stars, Woolworths, Quality Shop, Reibmans, Caldor, Haymarket Square, Mr. Bs…all of these stores bring back retail nostalgia! And all have come and gone throughout the library’s 160 years of service to the community. Join us for an evening of reminiscing. We’ll highlight some of t-town’s favorite shopping spots and we want to hear your memories! Bring your memories and your photos!
The Men (and Women) Who Built the Library- August 9th at 11:00am
Registration begins July 15th
In 1864 a group of men in Torrington gathered to do something good for the community. That good was building a Library. Who were these men that built the Torrington Library and how did they build an institution from the ground up? Join us as we look back at not only these men, but various other citizen committed their time and resources to Torrington and the Library, helping it remain one of the oldest institutions in Torrington.
A History in Photos
On October 10, 1864, a small group of Torrington men gathered together with the intention of doing something worthwhile for the community. The men included Rev. D.P. Sanford, Rev. W.S. Adamson, Rev. J. Vinton, Lauren Wetmore, Charles F. Brooker, and J.F.Calhoun. During this meeting, the men formed two groups. One group was to present an organized plan about forming a library (which included Sanford, Adamson and Vinton). The second group (comprised of Wetmore, Brooker, and Calhoun) was to solicit subscriptions for library membership.
On October 27th of the same year, the men formed the Wolcottville Library Association with only $700.00 to fund the organization. Library dues for all residents at the time were $2.00 per year. There were approximately 2,200 people in Wolcottville.
In 1898, construction began on what is now the current home of the library on Litchfield Street (and now Daycoeton Place). The vast, marble structure was paid for entirely by then Board President, Elisha Turner’s gift of $100,000. The land was also gifted to the library and was the former location of Lyman W. Coe’s carriage house.
Earnest Greene, an architect from New York, was hired to draw the plans and H. Wales Lines Co., of Meriden and the Hotchkiss Brothers Co., of Torrington were the contractors.
The new building was dedicated on September 11, 1901
On October 27th of the same year, the men formed the Wolcottville Library Association with only $700.00 to fund the organization. Library dues for all residents at the time were $2.00 per year. There were approximately 2,200 people in Wolcottville.
In 1898, construction began on what is now the current home of the library on Litchfield Street (and now Daycoeton Place). The vast, marble structure was paid for entirely by then Board President, Elisha Turner’s gift of $100,000. The land was also gifted to the library and was the former location of Lyman W. Coe’s carriage house.
Earnest Greene, an architect from New York, was hired to draw the plans and H. Wales Lines Co., of Meriden and the Hotchkiss Brothers Co., of Torrington were the contractors.
The new building was dedicated on September 11, 1901
Coe Family Carriage House (circa 1890s) before it's demolition to make room for the Library building. Photo courtesy of Torrington Historical Society.
Exterior of Library building early 20th Century.
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Construction of the current Library building on Litchfield Street, circa 1899.
Reading Room looking into Rotunda, circa 1901
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Exterior of Library building. Date unknown.
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In 1926, Ella Coe and her sister, Adelaide Eliza Coe Godfrey, both daughters of Lyman W. Coe, donated the money to build the children's room. They purchased the land from Mr. Sickmund's and so began construction. In 1928, Ella Coe also donated the money to redecorate and acquire new display cases for the Turner Museum. Along with it, she donated a good majority of her family glassware to the library collection.
Reading Room, circa 1969
Reference Room, circa 1969
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Program Room, circa 1969
Main Desk, circa 1969
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Reading Room, circa 1969
Main Desk and Mezzanine, circa 1969
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In 1970, substantial renovations were made to the library building to provide stack space, air conditioning and modern lighting.
Reading Room and Rotunda, circa 2009
Reading Room, circa 2010
Reference Room, circa 2010
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Reference Room, circa 2010
Main Desk, circa 2010
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Reading Room, circa 2010
Old Children's Room, circa 2010
Old Children's Room, circa 2010
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On April 15, 2015, the Torrington Library’s Board of Trustees voted to move forward with an estimated $5.7 million dollar building project. The scope of the project included a renovation of the existing structure as well as a three level, 13,377 square foot L-shaped addition on the west and north sides of the building, increasing the total building size to 30,853 square feet.
The architect for the project was Peter Wells of Tuthill and Wells Architects, LLC. The general contractor was Burlington Construction.
The architect for the project was Peter Wells of Tuthill and Wells Architects, LLC. The general contractor was Burlington Construction.
Architectural renderings, circa 2014
Architectural renderings, circa 2014
First piece of steel rising on the northwest side of the addition, circa 2015.
Second floor addition, new Children's Room, circa 2016.
New addition, first floor computer room looking into Teen Room, circa 2016.
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The newly renovated library opened on December 5, 2016 after 18 months of construction.
Exterior Litchfield Street entrance with NEW landscaping (the Judith A. Addazio Memorial Gardens), present day.
New Daycation Place entrance, present day.
Main Desk, present day.
Computer Room, present day.
New non-fiction, present day.
Ronda and Harold Burns Program Room (formerly the Program Room), present day.
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Reading Room, present day.
Turner Room (former Reference Room), present day.
Rotunda Room, present day.
Large Print Room (formerly Children's Room), present day.
The Board Room and Local History Room, present day.
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Reading Room, present day.
Reading Room, present day.
Teen Room, present day.
Children's Room, present day.
Service Desk (formerly Main Desk), present day.
New Torrington Saving's Bank Community Room, lower level, present day.
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The Past Meets the Present In Photos
Exterior of Library building. Date unknown.
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Exterior Litchfield Street entrance, circa 2010.
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Exterior Litchfield Street entrance with NEW landscaping (The Judith A. Addazio Memorial Gardens), present day.
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Reading Room looking into Rotunda, circa 1901
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Reading Room looking into Rotunda, circa 1969
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Reading Room looking into Rotunda, present day.
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Reading Room bay window, circa 2010
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Reading Room bay window, present day.
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Reading Room fire place, circa 1969
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Reading Room fire place, present day.
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Old Children's Room, circa 2010.
New Children's Room, present day.
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Large Print Room (formerly Children's Room) present day.
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Refence Room, circa 2010
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Turner Room and Used Book Nook (formerly Refence Room), present day.
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Program Room, circa 1969
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Ronda and Harold Burns Program Room (formerly the Program Room), present day.
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Same great books...just different shelving!
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Patrons enjoying entertainment near the Litchfield Street entrance, turn of the 20th Century.
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Patrons enjoying entertainment near the Litchfield Street entrance, present day.
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