|
A Jubilee Year for
St. Elizabeth Seton Parish
| St. Elizabeth Seton Parish is celebrating its 50th Anniversary Jubilee this month, culminating Sunday, Oct.18, with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Frank Caggiano. The parish was established in 1976, with Father Francis Medynski as its first pastor; ground was broken for the new church at 520 Ridgebury Road on Sept. 27, 1977. | | Reviewing the Year and Looking Forward: Ridgefield Historical Society Annual Meeting | |
President Steven Meyers will conduct the Ridgefield Historical Society’s annual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m. at the Scott House, 4 Sunset Lane. All current members are invited to participate and vote on a slate of officers and board members, as well as a proposed change to the by-laws to clarify election of board members when a vacancy exists.
Attendance can be in person or via Zoom.
| | New Historic Districts Proposed | | The Ridgefield Historic District Commission hopes to complete a study and seek final approvals for two new regulated historic districts involving properties on West Lane and Olmstead Lane in the next year. The Ridgefield Historical Society supports this important work and is assisting the commission with its research. | | Robb Orr Celebration of Life | A Celebration of Life for longtime Ridgefield Historical Society volunteer Rob Orr will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street. | | Jon Seem, Volunteer and Friend | The Ridgefield Historical Society mourns the loss of our good friend and supporter Jonathan David “Jon” Seem, 61, who died suddenly on Friday, Sept. 25. The husband of our former president Tracy Ringgold Seem, he was the father of Jake and Harrison Seem. | | Midnight at the Movies in 1940 | | This month’s item from the collection, a Halloween promotional gimmick, an envelope of “nerve powder” handed out to promote the movie Curse of the Cat People at the Ridgefield Playhouse in the mid-1940's, plus ticket stubs found in a scrapbook of Helen (Keeler) Kallos (2022.057.056), represents a tradition of a bygone era: a late-night double feature at the Ridgefield Playhouse. | | |
Main Street Walking Tour
Sat. Oct. 10, 10 a.m. (Rain date Oct. 17)
Jesse Lee Church, 207 Main St.
$30 members/$35 non-members
Take a walk down Main St. with town historian Jack Sanders while he shares stories about the many interesting people who have lived in homes and had businesses there. The group size is limited to twenty people, age 12 or older.
| | | |
Battle of Ridgefield Bus Tour
Sun. Oct. 18, 10 a.m.
Scott House, 4 Sunset Lane
$65 members/$75 non-members
Join a special 250th anniversary journey through the landscape of the Battle of Ridgefield, guided by Dr. David Naumec, battlefield historian and archaeologist, who helped uncover new evidence about the events of April 27, 1777.
| | |
Ridgefield History Club:
Ridgefield Then and Now
Part II
Tues. Oct. 20, 10 a.m.
@Scott House, 4 Sunset Ln., Free
How much of Ridgefield has changed over the past 150 years and how much remains the same? Town Historian Jack Sanders will present Part II of his illustrated talk for the Ridgefield History Club.
| | |
Last Sundays at the Schoolhouse
Sun. October 25, 1-4 p.m.
@Peter Parley Schoolhouse,
West Ln. and South Salem Rd., Free
The Peter Parley/West Lane District Schoolhouse on West Lane will hold its final Open House of the year on Sunday, Oct. 25. We will offer treats for visitors and costumes are encouraged. The schoolhouse, which had its last class in 1915, is now a small museum.
| | | |
Ridgefield Great Estates
Bus Tour
Sat. Nov. 7, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
@Jesse Lee Church 207 Main St.
$65 members/$75 non-members
More than 20 grand estates that covered much of Ridgefield a century ago will be the focus of a bus tour conducted by Town Historian Jack Sanders. Seating is limited to 16 people and is expected to sell out quickly.
| |
Ridgefield History Club:
Clarence Korker’s
The Golden Age of Stonehenge – The 1950s
Tues. Nov. 17, 10 a.m.
@Scott House, 4 Sunset Ln., Free
The glamour and excitement of Ridgefield’s famed Stonehenge Inn during the 1950s will be the focus of November's History Club. Historical Society board member Keith Russell will lead an illustrated group discussion, “Clarence Korker’s The Golden Age of Stonehenge – The 1950s,” featuring recently digitized photographs of the inn’s celebrated guests, staff and social life, including entertainers Judy Garland and Jackie Cooper.
| | | |
Tellabration 2026:
Ridgefield Stories
Sat. Nov. 21, 2 p.m.
@Scott House, 4 Sunset Ln., Free
Celebrate the art of storytelling at Ridgefield’s 2026 Tellabration. Founded in 1988 by PawPaw Pinkerton in Connecticut, Tellabration has grown into a global tradition, bringing people together through the power of shared stories. The event is organized by Dr. Darla Shaw, who will be the emcee as well as a storyteller.
| | | All merchandise sales support the mission of the Ridgefield Historical Society to preserve, interpret & foster public knowledge of Ridgefield’s historical, cultural & architectural heritage | | |
Farmers Against the Crown Painting
Limited-edition prints of this remarkable painting by Dale Gallon, depicting the barricade at the main engagement of the Battle of Ridgefield on Main Street, are available exclusively through the Ridgefield Historical Society in association with Mr. Gallon. A portion of each sale will benefit the mission of the Ridgefield Historical Society to preserve and share the history of Ridgefield.
| |
| |
The Battle of Ridgefield Book
The Ridgefield Historical Society is pleased to present Keith Marshall Jones III’s book, THE BATTLE OF RIDGEFIELD, which Connecticut State Historian Emeritus Dr. Walter Woodward calls “the definitive account of the Battle of Ridgefield for many years to come.”
| |
| |
'We're History' Caps
Ridgefield Historical Society caps are now available. They're navy blue cotton with "We're History" embroidered in white on the front and "Ridgefield Historical Society" on the back.
| |
| |
Battle of Ridgefield Shirts
Purchase a Battle of Ridgefield t-shirt by the Ridgefield Historical Society! Mark the anniversary with our official commemorative tee, featuring the battle emblem printed on the front. Secure yours today and wear a piece of history!
| |
| The Ridgefield Historical Society is an independent, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (75-3072660) dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and fostering public knowledge of Ridgefield’s historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. We do not receive operational funding from the town, state, or federal government and rely entirely on donations and membership dues to sustain our work. Your generous support is essential in helping us protect and share Ridgefield’s remarkable history. Thank you for being a part of our mission! | | | | |
