Hugh Torance House and Store

The Hugh Torance House and Store is a long-term project for MHA.  In 1989, MHA was given the privilege of operating this site by the Torance family.  Currently this site is open every Sunday (between mid-February and Christmas*) from 1:00 to 4:00 for tours. The tours last about 45 minutes. You can schedule your visit and provide a donation on the website, hughtorancehouseandstore.org. The building is also open during events held at the neighboring Torance home, Cedar Grove. The schedule of events for that site are also on that website.

The 1779 house is the home of Hugh Torance while he was a traveling salesman and where he brought his bride in 1786 and raised their son James for ten years. When James returned from his apprenticeship with his Uncle Albert at his store in Salisbury, Hugh divided the original 20×30 Foot cabin into a parlor and store and added a Federal-style addition in the front so James would have a proper residence. James married four years later and lived in the home until his parents’ deaths in 1816.

*If there is another history event in the neighborhood, we may be closed.  For example, we close on the weekend of the Scottish Highland games at Rural Hill because all of our docents are involved in that event.  Please check the website hughtorancehouseandstore.org for isolated closed dates.