From walking tours to educational talks, to encampments and a reenactment, not to mention a ceremonial burial of skeletal remains found right here on Main Street, Ridgefield is set to celebrate the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield.
Gear up as Ridgefield streets shut down to make way for hundreds of reenactors and visitors who will relive the battle.
Learn about the history that includes such notables as Benedict Arnold, General Tryon, and Anna Stebbins among others and get a first-hand opportunity to view a reenactment of the 1777 Battle of Ridgefield.
This collaborative effort between the Ridgefield Historical Society and the Town of Ridgefield will also feature a kick-off event with the Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra on Friday night at East Ridge Middle School which will be followed by a panel presentation unveiling the most recent Battle of Ridgefield findings based on the skeletal remains found in late 2019.
A Musket Ball, a lively event to celebrate town history will be held at the Lounsbury House on Saturday night.
The weekend events are outlined as follows:
Friday, April 29, 2022
245th Anniversary Weekend Kickoff Concert and Panel Presentation
East Ridge Middle School Auditorium 6:00pm — 7:30pm Registration — ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org Suggested Donation – $10.00 Proceeds to support ongoing research of the skeletal remains discovered in 2019.
Town of Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi and the Ridgefield Historical Society will launch the anniversary weekend with a special event featuring a performance by the Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra, followed by a panel presentation unveiling the most recent Battle of Ridgefield findings, based on the discovery of Revolutionary War skeletal remains in late 2019 in Ridgefield.
Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra
The orchestra will perform several period pieces including: a Gordon Jacob transcription of English composer William Byrd's March to the Battle from his Virginal book, renamed The Earle of Oxforde's Marche; the first movement of Mozart's 40th Symphony in G minor composed in 1788, representing the transition from the Baroque Era to the Classical Era, which occurred around the time of the Battle of Ridgefield; a brief but delightful String Quartet written by founding father Benjamin Franklin while he was in Paris in 1778; and finally O'er the Hills by American composer Francis Hopkinson, also written in 1778. Directed by Michael McNamara.
Panel Presentation: The Battle of Ridgefield Study: Where We Are, How We Got Here
This panel presentation will be moderated by Walter Woodward, CT State Historian; and includes Sarah Sportman, CT State Archeologist, Nick Bellantoni, Emeritus State Archeologist; research experts from Heritage Consultants, David Naumec and Kevin McBride; and Keith Jones, historian and author. The presentation will feature key learnings from the 2019 discovery of historic remains in Ridgefield, and how they have altered and impacted what we already know.
Revolutionary War Reenactment Camps
Friday, April 29 – Sunday, May 1
Ballard Park and Jesse Lee Methodist Church
Camp Tours, Demonstrations and Kids Drills
Saturday April 30 and Sunday, May 1 @ 9:00am – 10:30 and 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tours
Tours begin just north of Casagmo on Main Street at 9:00am, 10:00am, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm.
Tour numbers are capped at 20.
Registration at RidgefieldHistoricalSociety.org. (Suggested donation: $10)
Revolutionary War characters, including Benedict Arnold, General Tryon, and Anna Stebbins, among others will be stationed at several stops along Main Street, beginning at the Battle of Ridgefield sign north of Casagmo, and ending with a Tavern Tour at Keeler Tavern Museum.
Each stop will feature a short, entertaining, and informative script, organized by Darla Shaw.
Battle of Ridgefield Reenactment
Casagmo to Jesse Lee Methodist Church 11:00am – 1:00pm (Main Street will be closed to traffic from 10:00) Revolutionary War Reenactors will re-stage the historic Battle of Ridgefield on the streets of the town. Army formations at Jesse Lee and Ballard Park campgrounds. Battle begins at Casagmo with focal points at Main St. at Catoonah St.; Main St. at Governor St.; and Main St. at Market St.; ending at Jesse Lee.
Ridgefield Historical Society 4 Sunset Lane 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Registration at RidgefieldHistoricalSociety.org.
Meet the field historians and researchers who’ve been studying the Battle of Ridgefield and see demonstrations of the archeological work they do. See soil screening and ground-penetrating radar in action and participate in metal detecting on the Scott House property. Maybe we’ll find something! See the Revolutionary War artifacts that have already been found in Ridgefield, including an authentic musket ball. Great for all ages. Refreshments for all.
Keeler Tavern Museum — Tavern Tours
152 Main Street Saturday, April 30, 10:00am – 4:00pm and Sunday, May 1, 11:00am – 4:00pm More information at Register here
Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center is offering free specialty Battle of Ridgefield-themed tours on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. Tours of our historic tavern museum explore the complex history of what it means to live through war at home. By sharing the experiences of our former site residents during the Battle of Ridgefield, our tours complicate some of the Revolutionary War archetypes we've been taught: the "ardent patriot," the "courageous housewife," the "loyal Black servant."
Visitors can also head over to our historic carriage barn for exhibits and ac. vi. es, including a History Detectives station for children. Families welcome! Tours are free for all and advance registration is recommended.
Register here
All visitors must check in at the Visitor Center first. Tours go out every twenty minutes and are 45 minutes in length.
The Musket Ball
The Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 7:00pm – 11:00pm Purchase Tickets online. Donations provided by Nod Hill Brewery and Tuck Gin Great history warrants community celebration! Join friends and neighbors, mingle with re-enactors, and party like it’s 1777. The Commanders of the Army and Generals will attend for cocktails, and Revolutionary Guards will ensure safety. Cocktails, dinner, dancing, magic, art lounge, and more!
Sunday, May 1, 2022
Battle of Ridgefield Ceremonial Salute Start Begins at Ballard Park 11:00am – 1:00pm The CT 5th Regiment and The Brigade of the American Revolution will conduct a funeral procession and ceremony, rooted in the traditions of the late 1700s, for the Revolutionary War soldiers discovered in Ridgefield in 2019. While research continues on the actual remains, these young men died in battle in 1777 and will receive formal recognition. Join the community for a special tribute honoring their lives. Horse drawn carriage procession, period caskets, period music selection, musket salute.
Other Related Battle of Ridgefield Events
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
In-Person Lecture: A Well-Regulated Militia with Mark Albertson Ridgefield Library 7:00pm Registration at here
Mark Albertson describes why the Founders preferred a Militia System controlled by the governors, in lieu of a large standing army controlled by the Federal Government. In 1796 George Washington warned about over-bloated militaries as being inauspicious to liberty. This talk will also include why, from 1780 to March 15, 1783, Washington had to put down numerous mutinies and revolts within the Continental Army.
Questions? Contact Ridgefield Historical Society at info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org
*Image by HH from 240th Battle of Ridgefield Anniversary Weekend.