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Ridgefield MITS Brochure 5/12/08 11:52 AM Page 1 Ridgefield MITS Brochure 5/12/08 11:52 AM Page 1 WELCOME TO RIDGEFIELD A half dozen died on the battlefield or in Con- THE MUSEUM IN THE STREETS® is a heritage he Fundamental Orders adopted by federate prisons. discovery trail for the community and its visitors. Connecticut in 1639 allowed would-be set- In the early 20th century the face of the town The walking and driving tour seeks to enhance the TTHEHE MMUSEUMUSEUM T began to change: Italian immigrants arrived and community’s historical identity, educate, encour- tlers, able to support a minister, to establish a set- ® tlement, build a Congregational Church and farm built roads and the water system and worked on age preservation and promote the knowledge and ININ THE THE SSTREETSTREETS the land. This is exactly what was done here in the great estates. Prominent artists, actors and respect of local traditions. Featuring permanent 1708. The original 24 proprietors received 7 writers also found homes here. By mid-century markers at 30 ‘stations of history,’ Ridgefield’s 1/2-acre home lots drawn by lottery, with a 25th the biggest change came in the form of “com- Museum in the Streets brings the past to life reserved for the minister. The lots were located muters,” who found a beautiful small town, beyond the walls of traditional institutions. north and south along a wide main street on one affordable housing and a relatively easy com- mute by car or train to their offices in Stamford, THE MUSEUM IN THE STREETS® project of the three ridges that would give Ridgefield its has been sponsored by: name. The close-knit community lived under the Westchester and New York City. During the last vigilant eye of the Rev. Thomas Hauley, who also half of the century, the population grew from Adam Broderick Salon & Spa Annette & Dan O’Brien Aldrich Contemporary Art John & Joanne Patrick served as schoolmaster and town clerk. Each 10,000 inhabitants to its present 24,000 plus. On Ridgefield’s 300th anniversary, September Museum Reynolds & Rowella, LLP family was an individual survival unit, dwelling The Amatuzzi Family 30, 2008, we can only trust that the original 25 Ridgefield Bank, in a small home, farming its outlying fields and Frank Ballatore @ New England a Division of Fairfield husbanding a few farm animals on its home lot. proprietors would be pleased at the transition our Computer Group, Inc. County Bank The 18th century was a busy time for the new town has made from the small farming commu- Tom & Jane Belote Ridgefield Chamber of community: homes and mills were built, schools nity they carved out of the wilderness into a car- Branchville Oil Company Commerce A history walking tour of the and small businesses were established, and most ing town intent on remembering our past. Carnall Insurance Ridgefield Hardware Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut. importantly in 1775, after thrice declining to do Written by Kay Ables and Tom Belote Carroll Construction Ridgefield Historical Society so, the town fathers voted to oppose King George Nick Cemprola - Nutmeg Livery Ridgefield Supply Company and the English government, and became part of Service Ridgefield Woman’s Club the fight for liberty. In April 1777 a British raid- Colonial Cleaners The Town of Ridgefield ing party, under the command of Gen. William The Craig Family The Scala Family The Dubitsky/Dean Family Lonnie Shapiro Tryon, landed at Compo Beach in Westport with Fountain Committee The John Sturges Family orders to march to Danbury where they sacked John Katz The Toy Chest ® and burned the town, destroying the patriot sup- THE MUSEUM IN THE STREETS installation Keeler Tavern Museum Union Savings Bank plies stored there. On their march back to the sea, was created and organized by the The Historic Lounsbury House Patrick & Kathleen Walsh they passed through Ridgefield where they were Ridgefield 300th Anniversary Committee 2008. at the Ridgefield Family met by a hastily formed army led by Gen. David Community Center Webster Bank THE MUSEUM IN THE STREETS® Committee: Paul & Dewey McNamara Wooster, Gen. Gold Selleck Silliman and Gen. Kay Ables Peter & Beth Yanity Rebecca & Stephen Mucchetti Benedict Arnold (then still an American patriot). Tom Belote Stephen Zemo After the war the pace of commerce grew. By Suzanne Brennan Our sincere thanks to the following individuals and organi- Welcome to 1822 the town had weavers, hatters, tailors, cab- Stephanie Pelletier zations who have donated photographs from their collec- inet makers, silversmiths and shoemakers. tions to the Museum in the Streets installation, and to many IDGEFIELD The 300th Anniversary Committee: notable Ridgefield citizens who have documented the histo- R Immigrants arrived from Ireland and Germany. ry of Ridgefield throughout the years: The l9th century also saw the birth of industry, Sue Manning, Chair Rudy Marconi, Vice Chair Carol Ancona Stephanie Pelletier Barbara Serfilippi including carriage manufacturing. By 1830 the Ridgefield Highway Dept. Gary Singer Kay Ables Silvio Bedini Ridgefield Historical Society Mary Sullivan Resseguie and Olmstead carriage “manufactory,” Tom Belote Virginia Cohen later called the Big Shop, became one of the Morton Dean Ridgefield Parks & Rec. Dept. Daniel W. Teller Maureen Kiernan Charles Fisher Ridgefield Press Richard & Marie Venus town’s largest employers. During the Civil War Pam Lowell Samuel Goodrich George Rockwell, Jr. Barbara Watson the Connecticut 17th Regiment included young Kevin Walsh David Hein Kathryn Rosa Glenna Welsh men from Ridgefield, who served in many bat- Edward Karvosky Jack Sanders Josette Williams tles, including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. THE MUSEUM IN THE STREETS® is a trademark owned and protected. Keeler Tavern Museum Lucy Scala For information please write to: P. O. Box 11, Cushing, ME 04563 Korker Archives David Scott, AIA Ridgefield MITS Brochure 5/12/08 11:52 AM Page 2 S HILL R THE GREAT FIRE OF 1895 THE VILLAGE CENTER COPP OAD AD 1 RO LE 16 VIL ING IN THE EARLY 1900S CEMETERY RM 116 FA BAILEY AVENUE: A SHORT-CUT LAFAYETTE AVE 35 2 TO TO THE TRAIN STATION 17 MORE OF THE GREAT FIRE… RIDGEBURY S AHNTNST WASHINGTON S D A OA AVE ROCHAMBEAU P MAPLE SHADE R Y B S AW SETTLER’S T M T E HE POTTING OWER AND ISSELL S ESTROYED BY I E T S T B ’ —D LL 27 ROCK E E HIL D R A T L R O R T 3 18 26 ISLAND HILL AVE S S RAILROAD WAREHOUSING TWO CONFLAGRATIONS TITICUS H HILLSDALE AVE CEMETERY H T T U MTN VIEW AVE R O O S N D ROA THE RIDGEFIELD TRAIN GOVERNOR LOUNSBURY’S FIRST ROBERTS LANE Y R U B N 4 19 A D N SOUT EET H STR STATION HOUSE AND THE BOYS CLUB E W 116 S T R E E G T R O V BOOTLEGGING AND THE STATE POLICE AND THE E S POUND ST T REE R 5 20 T E ISTORICAL OCIETY ENJAMIN RANKLIN CHOOL M E H S B F S 1777 BATTLE SITE T AD A RO ARRY I QU N D T OL C STEBBINS E N S HOUSE O T T S R L L I E MITH AVERN OLONIAL HE OVERNOR S STATE M S T —A C T G ’ E E 8 T E C A 6 21 L S ILV ER BI EETING LACE AND T TEPHEN S HURCH E P RCH M P S . S ’ C V L N I D R A E D H SUNSET K W ARNOLD’S WAY LAN O O E R O R L A R THE ELMS E HISTORICAL HE LMS NN AND THE ENEDICT RNOLD S ETRAYAL V T E I B A ’ B O SOCIETY 7 7 22 G STEBBINS HOMESTEAD AND LIEUTENANT JOSHUA KING ILBERT STREET 5 H LIBRARY I G EET 4 OSPECT STR A BALLARD R H P B PARK 9 B R 6 O I D T G THE BATTLE OF RIDGEFIELD, THE TOWN COMMON AND T THEATER E A BARN V A E E 8 23 V AS N PRIL E 10 11 A 27, 1777 HAULEY HOUSE U LANE MULVANEY CT N T E U HALPIN E RI E BIG SHOP LANE U D ARTISTS N G PLAY E GUILD 2 V E HOUSE 1 A VENUE ST. MARY 12 Y S Y A T BARR FIRE 13 ILE P BA R BALLARD PARK RIDGEFIELD’S COLONIAL PLANS R.C. CHURCH STATION R GREENFIELD ST 3 E O E 20 9 24 E S U T P N 15 MAP TOWN E E C V ST. MARY HALL T A 19 SCHOOL CATOONAH STREET 14 17 16 RI W D E 18 I G HE ILLAGE IN THE S EELER AVERN AND THE ST. STEPHEN’S GOVERNOR STREET T V 1900 K T V VETERANS E R 10 I EPISCOPAL POLICE PARK R A O 25 F CHURCH STATION SCHOOL A IG HOP VENUE “B S ” N A D BRYO 21 COMMUNITY MAIN STREET IN CENTER 35 T REE T ST 11 RKE THE ATE S ETTLER S OCK MA L 1800 S ’ R GRIFFITH LANE 26 H O L M M CHRISTIAN E E N A LA S SCIENCE AND PLAYING FIELD I ROWL N R CHURCH TITICUS: AN INDUSTRIAL O A AMUCH-LOVED OLD CHURCH S ALDRICH MUSEUM D T 22 “OLD HUNDRED” R 27 T C 12 E ENTER MIDDLE C N AND A ATERING ROUGH FOR E W T O D S T SCHOOL A K O C R A J L LE ROAD IL HORSES 23 VIL 102 H KING LANE H NC Y RA IV REET B RIDGEBURY—GEORGE E ST ABL JESSE LEE ACE 28 PE METHODIST CHURCH WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE & 24 TO OUT OF THE ASHES… “OLD TOWN COMMON” BRANCHVILLE 13 ® H I TREETS BRANCHVILLE—A CENTER OF G THE LIVERY STABLE AND THE S H R Continue on 29 I D 14 ITALIAN-AMERICAN LIFE G Rte.
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  • The Battle of Ridgefield: April 27, 1777
    American Revolution & Colonial Life Programs Pre and Post Lesson Plans & Activities The Battle of Ridgefield: April 27, 1777 • The Battle of Ridgefield was the only inland battle fought in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. • Captain Benedict Arnold was the main commander for the battle as the British marched upon a weak Colonial Army. Arnold's defenses kept the British at bay until the larger army could come later. • Brigadier General Gold Selleck Silliman of Fairfield was also involved in the battle. In the primary source letter below, he sends word to General Wooster that they need reinforcements. • Silliman’s 2nd wife, Mary Silliman, writes to her parents after the battle, relieved that her husband and son were unharmed. Although her parents are only a few towns away, she is unable to travel the distance. • Another primary source is a silhouette of Lieutenant Colonel Abraham Gould of Fairfield, who died during the battle. At the Fairfield Museum: • Students will view a painted portrait of Mary Silliman in the galleries. • Students will see the grave marker for General Gold Selleck Silliman, his first wife, and a few of his children. • Students will also see the grave marker of Lieutenant Colonel Abraham Gould. Fairfield Museum & History Center | Fairfieldhistory.org | American Revolution: The Battle of Ridgefield A brief synopsis – The Battle of Fairfield: General Tryon of the British army thought that he would be warmly received by the people of Ridgefield after taking out a Colonial supply post just days earlier. Tryon, to his dismay, learned that the town was being barricaded by none other than General Benedict Arnold.
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    Name: ____________________________ Date: _____________________________ Activity 1: Be a History Detective! Directions: There are many ways historians or museum professionals can learn about the past. Many times we think primary sources are only writings, letters, papers or books. Another way we can learn about the past is from artifacts or images. In this activity we are going to ask you to act like a detective – you will have 2 minutes to look at one image and then answer the following three questions. Imagine that this image was left behind with no description so think creatively and build a possible story about what it might be showing us. Answer these questions after spending 2 minutes look at the image. There are no wrong answers – but every answer must be supported by what you SEE in the image. 1. What is going on in this picture? 2. What do you SEE that makes you say that? 3. What else do you see? (Take a second look and add to your detective work!) 1 ©Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center 2020 Name: ____________________________ Date: _____________________________ Activity 2: An Introduction to the Battle of Ridgefield Directions: Read the following questions before listening to the presentation on the Battle of Ridgefield – it will help you know what to listen for! You can answer the questions as you listen or come back to answer them when the presentation is done. 1. When was Ridgefield established? Who was living in the area before the English colonists? 2. Why was Lott 2, the house of Benjamin Hoytt and later Timothy Keeler, a good place to establish a tavern? 3.
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  • Scott House Journaljan 2019Xxx
    Ridgefield Historical Society January 2020 SCOTT HOUSE JOURNAL President’s Message The Ridgefield Historical Society has been active on many fronts. We were called in when The Battle of Ridgefield took place April 27, 1777, as some 2,000 British troops and several skeletons were Loyalists marched into the village on their way to ships at Westport, after a raid on unearthed near one of the main Patriot stores in Danbury. engagements of the Battle of Ridgefield. It was sobering Skeletons’ discovery may lead looking at the skeletons of men who were most likely soldiers, but also a privilege to be a part to deeper exploration of Battle of the team that is meticulously Two hundred and forty-two years ago, on April piecing together who these 27, 1777, the Revolutionary War came to Ridgefield, individuals were, what events as some two thousand British and loyalist troops precipitated their deaths and the under Major General William Tryon fought patriot impact on history. soldiers, militia and volunteers, led by General David Wooster, General Benedict Arnold and General Gold I have new respect for the Sellleck Silliman. Earlier skirmishes, rear-guard State Chief Archaeologist, State attacks by General Wooster, took place along the Historian, the State Medical road from Ridgebury to the village. The main battle Examiner’s Office and the many centered on a barricade at the north end of Main professionals from Yale, UConn, 1 Ridgefield Historical Society January 2020 Street and other encounters occurred to the east and and Quinnipiac involved. We are west of the center of town before the British troops honored that First Selectman Rudy marched south of the village and camped overnight off Wilton Road West.
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  • Uncle Ned's Mountain
    3 Uncle Ned’s Mountain Two centuries of African-American slaves, farmers, soldiers, and saviors in a small New England town 4 Version Feb. 8, 2021 [This is a draft copy] © 2021 Jack Sanders 91 Olmstead Lane Ridgefield, Connecticut, 06877 [email protected] RidgefieldHistory.com 5 Introduction eople in Ridgefield, Connecticut, have called it Ned’s Mountain for a century and a half. Really just a steep, wooded, rocky hill, the P “mountain” reaches 962 feet above sea level in the northern part of the town, overlooking pastures dotted with multi-million-dollar homes and elegant horse barns, and capped with a modern house offering fine views for miles around. Those views were much different nearly two centuries ago when Black men and women fleeing enslavement in the South sought refuge on Ned’s Mountain and where four African-American boys grew up and went off to fight in the Civil War. Two would not return. Ned’s Mountain, the only name on a map of Ridgefield that re- calls an African American, represents a past that the town has largely forgotten — or ignored. Ridgefield was founded in 1708 by a group of nearly two dozen men from Connecticut coastline communities who bought thousands of acres from native tribal leaders. The town straddles ridges in the then heavily forested foothills of the Berkshires and its “mountains” can reach more than 1,000 feet above sea level, high for this part of New England. The land was tough, not only steep but also rocky and swampy, with places bearing such hardscrabble names as Toilsome, Rattlesnake Swamp, Brimstone, Nod, and the Wolfpits.
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