Historic Homes of Litchfield and Torrington Connecticut

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Built in 1895, this Queen Anne style house still retains many of its original features. Its tower, asymmetrical layout, and ornamental details exemplify Queen Anne architecture. The property also includes a carriage house. This building was the home of James Alldis, who is best-remembered for his role in the Excelsior Needle Company, which originated in Torrington in 1866 and became the city's most significant industry. A few years after its formation, Alldis was appointed superintendent of the company until his retirement in 1899. Today, the building houses law offices and an apartment.

2. Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum

Commissioned by Orsamus Fyler in 1897, and completed in 1900, this Queen Anne style Victorian house is now the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum and the Torrington Historical Society Headquarters. Gertrude Fyler Hotchkiss left the property to the Torrington Historical Society as a bequest in 1956.

3. Topsmead

Once the summer residence of wealthy businesswoman and philanthropist Edith Morton Chase (1891-1972), Topsmead is a beautiful Tudor Revival house built in 1925. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, it is now the focal point of Topsmead State Forest, which encompasses the entire grounds—600 acres—of the former estate. The house was designed by architect Richard Dana, who was based in New York City at the time, and it has been well maintained. Each end of the home features formal gardens. Free guided tours are offered from June to October on the second and fourth weekends. Visitors will see 17th and 18th century antiques inside.

4. Litchfield Historical Society

Founded in 1856, the Litchfield Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of town from its founding in 1719 to the present day. It operates the Litchfield History Museum and the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School site. The museum features changing exhibits with many artifacts and on display, hands-on areas, and a library and archives in the basement. The museum's collection includes paintings, furniture, tools, textiles, costumes, various household items, rare books, organizational records, diaries, deeds, and photographs. It is possible to see many of these items on the Society's online database. In addition, the Society offers a variety of education programs and tours such as craft workshops, walking tours, and book clubs.

5. Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School

The historic home was the location of the country's first law school, called the Litchfield Law School. It was founded in 1784 by lawyer Tapping Reeve (1744-1823), who would serve as Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court beginning in 1814. Reeve built the house in 1773. He started to give law lectures in the parlor in 1782 but as the number of students increased, it was clear that a larger space was needed. So in 1784, Reeve built a one-story building near the house. His very first student was his brother-in-law Aaron Burr, who would go on to be Vice President under President Thomas Jefferson (he is most known for shooting and killing founding father Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804). Future Vice President John C. Calhoun and Lyman Beecher, the father of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" author Harriet Beecher Stowe, were other notable students. The school operated until 1833. In all, over 1,000 students studied at the school and many would go on to become successful leaders in law, politics, and business. As such, they played a central role in laying the political and economic foundations on which the country now stands. For these reasons, the site (the house and school buildings) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Visitors to the house can watch an introductory video, learn about how the students lived, and try on period clothes.

6. Oliver Wolcott House

A National Historic Landmark, this Colonial-era home was built by its namesake and prominent political figure of the period, Oliver Wolcott Sr. (1726-1797). Wolcott was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, served as a major general of the state militia during the Revolutionary War, and served as Governor of Connecticut from 1796-1797. The house is further significant for its association with other notable figures of the era who visited Wolcott, including future first president George Washington. Additionally, Wolcott's son and future governor, Oliver Wolcott Jr., was born here in 1760. The house is privately owned today but can be viewed from the street.

7. Henry B. Bissell House

This Greek Revival house was built in 1850 for Henry Benton Bissell. It is a notable example of high-quality stone masonry from the antebellum period. The stone was sourced from the Bissell family's nearby quarry and includes three colors of granite. It is the only stone Greek Revival house in the area.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Historic Homes of Litchfield and Torrington Connecticut

Created by Clio Admin on February 18th 2019, 5:01:35 pm.

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Description

This short scenic drive includes numerous homes on the National Register of Historic Places and Oliver Wolcott House which is a National Historic Landmark. The tour also includes stops at the Litchfield Historical Society which offers galleries of historical artifacts and offers group tours throughout the year for those who wish to explore the history of this part of Connecticut even further.

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Historic Homes of Litchfield and Torrington Connecticut

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