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Apr 03, 2023

Eddie, Torrington Historical Society cat, dies, officials say

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Eddie, the Torrington Historical Society's resident cat, gets a closer look at a new trail map with Executive Director Mark McEachern and Torrington Trails Network member Mark Linehan. Eddie died May 11.

Eddie, the Torrington Historical Society's resident cat, sits on a post behind the house waiting for his supper in a photo taken in 2018. Eddie died May 11.

Torrington Historical Society curator Gail Kruppa holds the society's resident cat, a very friendly feline named Eddie, who greets visitors at the door. Eddie died May 11.

Eddie, the Torrington Historical Society's resident cat, gets a closer look at a new trail map with Executive Director Mark McEachern and Torrington Trails Network member Mark Linehan. Eddie died on May 11.

Eddie, the museum cat, is pictured with Executive Director Mark McEachern. Eddie died on May 11.

TORRINGTON — Eddie, the Torrington Historical Society's resident cat, mascot and feline friend, died May 11, according to members of the society.

Executive Director Mark McEachern and curator Gail Kruppa broke the news in a statement this week. "We are sad to report that Eddie, our four-footed friend, Historical Society mascot and official greeter passed away," they wrote.

Kruppa said Eddie might have been two years old when he arrived, making him at least 12. The cat was "a fixture at the Torrington Historical Society, having lived at the museum since 2012," she said.

"At first he was a regular visitor who could be found on the property at all times of the day or night," the statement read. "His winning personality and affectionate nature quickly won us over and shortly afterwards, a home was made for Eddie in the carriage house.

Visitors to the Hotchkiss-Fyler House, the carriage house or the museum and research building were likely to encounter the very friendly but calm Eddie, officials said.

"By day, Eddie roamed 'his' grounds, walked amongst the garden beds, watched fish in the fish pond or leisurely relaxed on the porches of the historic buildings," McEachern and Kruppa wrote. "More often than not, especially in the winter months, he could be found sleeping on an office chair, the floor near a warm radiator, or the lap of a staff member."

He was the official greeter, and was also inquisitive, sometimes hopping up on a table to get a closer look at someone's maps or research. He also sat among some of the permanent exhibits when visitors came, adding his presence to the artifacts, machinery and other treasures on display at the society.

"We are fortunate that Eddie adopted us and that he decided to remain at 192 Main Street," McEachern and Kruppa wrote. "He gave us many years of happiness and we hope that Eddie's life at the Society was just as happy. Thank you Eddie."

When groups of students came to the Hotchkiss-Fyler House for a tour, a group of 20 or more students would see Eddie and approach him. "You know how that usually goes," Kruppa said. "But Eddie was really good. He would just stand there and let them pet him."

He was also content to sit outdoors with people who brought their lunch to the grounds during the week, and often "helped" them eat it, Kruppa said. "We had people from Torrington Savings Bank come over sometimes with their lunch, and I think Eddie took advantage of that," she said.

"It's hard going to work without Eddie; we're really missing him," Kruppa said.