thompson historical society
The Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall was used as the seat of the Thompson government until power shifted from ‘the hill to the mill’. The rise of North Grosvenordale as the economic and government center of Thompson took place in the early 1900s. The building then served as the meeting place for the Grange for many years.
In 1968, the Town of Thompson sold the building to the newly created historical society for $1.00. Used also for concerts, temperance talks, plays, minstrel shows, extended housing following the 1938 hurricane and for teaching second grade students to use turkey quill ink pens over its long life, the Society holds its annual holiday shop at the venerable building. Visitors from all over New England visit during the month of December to find just the right gift for their loved ones.
The Old Town Hall dates to 1842 and is believed to be an Ithiel Town Greek Revival design. Ithiel Town, born October 1784 in Thompson, was an architect and engineer who became one of the pre-eminent architects and engineers of the United States during the first half of the 19th century.
For more information see https://connecticuthistory.org/people/ithiel-town/
