2022 marks the 245th Anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield, an important Revolutionary War action fought on the very roads and paths of Ridgefield, CT that are universally used today. The Town of Ridgefield and Ridgefield Historical Society are celebrating the occasion with a full weekend of events, turning back the clock, and bringing the history and characters of the time alive, as well as introducing new important discoveries regarding the Battle.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF REENACTMENT WEEKEND EVENTS!
The Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center is celebrating the weekend by offering free tours on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 that explore the experiences of Ridgefield citizens beyond the battlefield, examining what it may have been like for our former site residents to live through war at home.
Tours of the historic tavern museum will explore the complex history of what it means to live through war at home. By sharing the experiences of former site residents during the Battle of Ridgefield, the tours complicate some of the Revolutionary War archetypes we've been taught: the "ardent patriot," the "courageous housewife," the "loyal Black servant." They ask visitors to think about how people like Timothy Keeler, Esther Keeler, Betty Isaac, and others may have considered political ideologies, family loyalties, business interests, physical safety, and more as they sought to survive the Battle. Executive Director Hildegard Grob explains, “The tour showcases some of the approaches we’re taking as we prototype for our NEH-funded reinterpretation project, and we’re looking forward to hearing visitors’ feedback about the various themes, stations, activities, and more!”
On Saturday, educator and historical reenactor Cheyney McKnight of Not Your Momma’s History will help lead tours. She’ll discuss the Black experience during the American Revolution in Connecticut and lead visitors in examining and discussing primary source documents from KTM&HC’s archives that speak to our colonial-era Black history.
In addition to taking a tour, visitors can head over to the historic carriage barn for family-friendly exhibits and activities that encourage visitors to make connections between past and present. How did other people at the time learn about the Battle of Ridgefield, and how are those strategies different from and similar to how we learn about news today?
How did word get around during the Battle of Ridgefield? Try out an 18th-century mode of communication by using a quill pen and ink at a letter-writing station. Write a letter or postcard to yourself or someone you know, and the museum will mail it for you!
How did people get information about the Battle of Ridgefield, in the days and weeks following the event? Examine primary source documents like newspapers printed in the days after the Battle and a British etching of the Battle to see how 18th-century writers and illustrators used specific words, images, and perspectives to influence what people thought about the Battle. Was it a skirmish, like the British claimed, or a battle, as described by the Americans? Who won the battle and who won the war? Did the event have a major impact on the Revolutionary War? Just like today, answers varied depending on which sources people looked at!
Take time to think, make connections, and share ideas with other museum visitors in our reflection space, where you can write or draw responses to questions we pose to our audiences.
Also be sure to stop by the front of the historic tavern to view the famous British cannonball that lodged in the building during the Battle of Ridgefield. Though today visitors often think about the cannonball as a symbol of independence, in 1777 it was an instrument of war. Interpreters will share the story of the Battle from the vantage point of the residents of the tavern, emphasizing how terrifying it would have been to watch an invading army marching toward and attacking their home.
Hours will be Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are free for all and limited to maximum eight people per group, with advance registration highly recommended. Walk-ins for tours will be limited to a first come, first served basis. Tours start at the Visitor Center, go out every twenty minutes, and last about 45 minutes. Online tickets at https://ktmhc.ticketleap.com/battle-of-ridgefield-specialty-tours/. All visitors must check in at the Visitor Center first and will receive a map and program at that time. The carriage barn and cannonball station are open all day. Visitors can also enjoy the walled garden and take the self-guided Gilbert walking tour – and be sure to stop by our Museum Shop for gifts and souvenirs! No on-site parking. Parking is available at the First Congregational Church, 103 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.
About Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center
Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (KTM&HC), located on Main Street in Ridgefield, CT, tells the town’s—and nation’s—history through the lives of its past residents. The four-acre historic site features an expanded site experience featuring museum and outdoor tour options, rotating exhibits, and access to the scenic grounds and gardens. Additional information, including updates about on-site and virtual programming and events, as well as rental availability of the Garden House, can be found at keelertavernmuseum.org, @KeelerTavernMuseum on Facebook and Instagram, @KeelerTavern on Twitter, or by emailing info@keelertavernmuseum.org. For inquiries about school programs and digital learning experiences, please email education@keelertavernmuseum.org.
