Anne V. Torrant School (1874/1912)

The Anne V. Torrant School in Plainville consists of two connected buildings. The earlier Italianate structure was built in 1874, when the town’s various one and two room schools were consolidated into a single building. The second structure was built of brick in 1911-1912. In style, both buildings are similar to other schools built in Connecticut during the same period. The school was called the Broad Street School and later was renamed in honor of Anne V. Torrant, who worked there for fifty years, starting as a teacher in the 1920s and later serving as principal. The school was named for her shortly before her retirement in 1972. Today, the building is no longer a school but has been converted into housing for the elderly and is called the Torrant House.

Former Colchester Baptist Church (1836)

Before Colchester’s Baptist Church joined with the town’s Congregational Church to form the Colchester Federated Church in 1949, the Baptists worshiped in an 1836 church building, which is still standing at 168 South Main Street. The original steeple was destroyed in the 1938 hurricane and was replaced by the current shortened steeple. The congregation decided to sell the church due to their having a diminishing congregation by the 1940s. The church was sold to Nathan and Israel Liverant, who opened an antiques businesses in the old church and converted it to commercial use. The entrance originally featured a central window flanked by two entry doors, but now has a central door with bow windows on either side. Nathan Liverant and Son Antiques continues to occupy the building today.