The Torrington Library Investigations
by Scott Whittaker
The Torrington Library anchors one corner of the down town area and overlooks Coe Park
across the street. On the corner of Daycoeton Place and New Litchfield Street, it is a
prominent Torrington landmark. With its angular marble construction and columned edifice
it suggests a Greco-roman style temple or, perhaps, what you might imagine Fort Knox to
look like, but on a smaller scale. This later analogy is perhaps the more accurate as inside are
housed many treasures which the library safeguards. Despite its outward appearance, inside
it is warm and inviting with an interesting architecture that makes you want to just walk
around and explore!
The birth-child of what was originally the Wolcottville Library Association; there has been a
library in one form or another in Torrington since 1864. In 1881 the Torrington library
association was formed and the library we know today was dedicated September 11th, 1901; a
gift to the town by wealthy local industrialist Elisha Turner and built on land donated by him.
The founders of the library read like a who’s who in Torrington and many a local street or
landmark bears the name of the original benefactors of the library; names like Seymour,
Turner, Wetmore, and Coe; men and women who were instrumental in the burgeoning
industrial development of the late 1800’s in the greater Torrington area. While talk and
speculation may shadow anyone with a public profile, there is no evidence that these
individuals were motivated by anything more than a love of their town. And what is a town
without churches, businesses and a library?
Today, the library houses many thousands of books, magazines and circulars, as well as
having internet; a near requirement in this modern age. In addition, there are a number of
other things of interests in the library’s collection, including an American Flag from the time
of the Grand Army of the Republic ( Circa as early as 1868 ), Revolutionary War papers signed
by George Washington himself, numerous antique guns, pieces of glassware and dolls from
all over the world.
The Northwest Connecticut Paranormal Society (NWCPS) became interested in the library
when we were approached about doing a presentation on our activities and investigations,
something we regularly do, especially in the fall of each year. Through this association we
inquired as to any reports of paranormal activity occurring in the library and after talking to
several of the caretakers, we learned that the answer was “Yes”. Some interesting ones
indeed.
One employee reported seeing several “full bodied apparitions”; that is full bodied ghosts in
detail, often seen wearing clothes. In this case, the staff in question had reported seeing no
less than what she believed to be three different people, a woman with long black hair, a
woman with long silver hair and a man in top hat and tails, all of whom were dressed in the
same late 1800’s period clothing. Others had reported hearing people in the library when no
one else was there and thinking that people were in the library when no one was present.
While a long term volunteer of the library, a woman who had worked there for nearly 40
years, stated that she had never heard or seen anything unusual, she did relate that a past co-
worker of hers had.
Thus, began a three year long relationship between NWCPS and the Torrington Library. We
are very pleased to not only be able to investigate the library, but to do so several times over
the years. We are indebted to the library staff for giving us such unprecedented afterhours
access.
Over the past several years the library has seen some fairly significant repairs, including
repair to the roof and the removal of carpet in the main atrium. This latter renovation
revealed a beautiful tile mosaic floor underneath. Paranormal researchers believe that such
renovations may be the impetus for paranormal activity. Some of the sighting reports
centered around newly re-opened areas of the library upstairs; an area which had not been
used for much in recent decades, but was now seeing increased utilization. It was here that
the staff reported seeing the woman with long black hair walking near a particular piece of
furniture. Therefore, during our 2009 investigation we set up a DVR camera in this place and
just let it run over a weekend.
The resulting playback revealed the recording an “orb” or a floating ball of light which
seemed to be coming out of this particular old hutch. In 2008 during an investigation we
caught an EVP
( a disembodied voice not heard by human ears, but yet captured by a recording device )
which at first blush appeared to say “ I like ice cream”. However, after talking to the library
staff we learned that one of their staff was named Elaine. Upon re-listening to the recording,
it might seem to be saying “I like Elaine”; a particular interesting find for us.
In 2009 we were allowed to return to the library and with the assistance of staff and friends
of the library we conducted a thorough investigation over several hours one night, having
access to all areas of the building. Again, we set up the DVR and let it run over the weekend
and investigators combed the library with video and audio recording equipment. While some
of this data is still be analyzed, we did conclude one important fact about the library and that
is, sound travels. You can easily hear street noise outside. Voices within the building carry.
Other than this revelation, nothing new has been discovered and there were no significant
personal experiences.
We have done four of our presentations at the library this year with much enthusiasm from
the public. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the library not only in terms
of coming back next year to put on our lecture, but also in hopes of continuing our
investigations.
by Scott Whittaker
The Torrington Library anchors one corner of the down town area and overlooks Coe Park
across the street. On the corner of Daycoeton Place and New Litchfield Street, it is a
prominent Torrington landmark. With its angular marble construction and columned edifice
it suggests a Greco-roman style temple or, perhaps, what you might imagine Fort Knox to
look like, but on a smaller scale. This later analogy is perhaps the more accurate as inside are
housed many treasures which the library safeguards. Despite its outward appearance, inside
it is warm and inviting with an interesting architecture that makes you want to just walk
around and explore!
The birth-child of what was originally the Wolcottville Library Association; there has been a
library in one form or another in Torrington since 1864. In 1881 the Torrington library
association was formed and the library we know today was dedicated September 11th, 1901; a
gift to the town by wealthy local industrialist Elisha Turner and built on land donated by him.
The founders of the library read like a who’s who in Torrington and many a local street or
landmark bears the name of the original benefactors of the library; names like Seymour,
Turner, Wetmore, and Coe; men and women who were instrumental in the burgeoning
industrial development of the late 1800’s in the greater Torrington area. While talk and
speculation may shadow anyone with a public profile, there is no evidence that these
individuals were motivated by anything more than a love of their town. And what is a town
without churches, businesses and a library?
Today, the library houses many thousands of books, magazines and circulars, as well as
having internet; a near requirement in this modern age. In addition, there are a number of
other things of interests in the library’s collection, including an American Flag from the time
of the Grand Army of the Republic ( Circa as early as 1868 ), Revolutionary War papers signed
by George Washington himself, numerous antique guns, pieces of glassware and dolls from
all over the world.
The Northwest Connecticut Paranormal Society (NWCPS) became interested in the library
when we were approached about doing a presentation on our activities and investigations,
something we regularly do, especially in the fall of each year. Through this association we
inquired as to any reports of paranormal activity occurring in the library and after talking to
several of the caretakers, we learned that the answer was “Yes”. Some interesting ones
indeed.
One employee reported seeing several “full bodied apparitions”; that is full bodied ghosts in
detail, often seen wearing clothes. In this case, the staff in question had reported seeing no
less than what she believed to be three different people, a woman with long black hair, a
woman with long silver hair and a man in top hat and tails, all of whom were dressed in the
same late 1800’s period clothing. Others had reported hearing people in the library when no
one else was there and thinking that people were in the library when no one was present.
While a long term volunteer of the library, a woman who had worked there for nearly 40
years, stated that she had never heard or seen anything unusual, she did relate that a past co-
worker of hers had.
Thus, began a three year long relationship between NWCPS and the Torrington Library. We
are very pleased to not only be able to investigate the library, but to do so several times over
the years. We are indebted to the library staff for giving us such unprecedented afterhours
access.
Over the past several years the library has seen some fairly significant repairs, including
repair to the roof and the removal of carpet in the main atrium. This latter renovation
revealed a beautiful tile mosaic floor underneath. Paranormal researchers believe that such
renovations may be the impetus for paranormal activity. Some of the sighting reports
centered around newly re-opened areas of the library upstairs; an area which had not been
used for much in recent decades, but was now seeing increased utilization. It was here that
the staff reported seeing the woman with long black hair walking near a particular piece of
furniture. Therefore, during our 2009 investigation we set up a DVR camera in this place and
just let it run over a weekend.
The resulting playback revealed the recording an “orb” or a floating ball of light which
seemed to be coming out of this particular old hutch. In 2008 during an investigation we
caught an EVP
( a disembodied voice not heard by human ears, but yet captured by a recording device )
which at first blush appeared to say “ I like ice cream”. However, after talking to the library
staff we learned that one of their staff was named Elaine. Upon re-listening to the recording,
it might seem to be saying “I like Elaine”; a particular interesting find for us.
In 2009 we were allowed to return to the library and with the assistance of staff and friends
of the library we conducted a thorough investigation over several hours one night, having
access to all areas of the building. Again, we set up the DVR and let it run over the weekend
and investigators combed the library with video and audio recording equipment. While some
of this data is still be analyzed, we did conclude one important fact about the library and that
is, sound travels. You can easily hear street noise outside. Voices within the building carry.
Other than this revelation, nothing new has been discovered and there were no significant
personal experiences.
We have done four of our presentations at the library this year with much enthusiasm from
the public. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the library not only in terms
of coming back next year to put on our lecture, but also in hopes of continuing our
investigations.
Above: Beautiful antiques fill Torrington library. If you want to visit- 12 Daycoeton Place Torrington, CT