The Keeler Tavern House Museum in Ridgefield is hosting an award-winning exhibition that explores the interdependency of farms, families, and businesses across Ridgefield’s history–showcasing individual trades and their tools. For much of its history, Ridgefield was a farming community, however, no family farm could be entirely self-sufficient. Members of the community developed specialized trades to accommodate the needs of a growing village, and by the turn of the 19th century, the nature of Ridgefield’s Main Street shifted to reflect this new market. Small enterprises had sprung up all over town, and by 1820, roughly one-third of Ridgefielders were engaged in some type of manufacturing. An online exhibit—combining maps, narrative text, and multimedia content—takes visitors on a virtual tour of the businesses on Ridgefield’s 19th-Century Main Street. To visit the online exhibit click here.
In addition to the virtual event, a number of trades and their tools will be featured in the Carriage Barn. The barn is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 1 - 4 p.m., through November 8. Pre-registration for timed entries required. COVID-19 guidelines apply, including masks, social distancing, and one-way traffic. FREE admission.
FREE family demonstrations will be offered outdoors on weekends, including blacksmithing this coming Sunday (see photo) and shoemaking on November 1. No pre-registration needed for outdoor demonstrations. For timed registrations and additional details click here.
And, for those of you that love scarecrows, the 8th annual scarecrow contest is going on until October 31. Voting for the scarecrow of your choice is taking place on the museum's FACEBOOK page. The scarecrow with the most "likes" by 11:59 PM on October 31 will receive a prize. Check out the pinned post at the top of our Facebook page, and cast your vote today! Vote here
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