Twenty-two years after the Scott House opened its doors as the headquarters of the new Ridgefield Historical Society (“A Historic House Becomes A House of History,” read the commemorative booklet), members of the organization celebrated another successful year at the annual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
They also celebrated the lease, signed that day, that will allow the historical society to renovate and preserve the former Branchville District one-room school on Old Branchville Road.
Tracy R. Seem, president for the past four years, who had shepherded the effort to save the schoolhouse, completed her second term that evening and handed over the symbolic chairman’s gavel to the new president, Steven Meyers. (Ms. Seem will remain on the historical society board and continue her involvement with the schoolhouse, among other areas.) A long time resident of Ridgefield, Steve has recently retired after a career in the field of environmental law, including over 20 years at GE and ending as Global Director of Environmental at Amazon Web Services. He lives on Lewis Drive with his wife, the illustrator, Cynthia Meyers.
In her annual report, Ms. Seem highlighted the programs and events, the many projects, and the increasing community involvement with the Ridgefield Historical Society, all supported by memberships, donations and grants. In the past year, the society teamed with Tiger Hollow to present the Holiday Historic House Tour and in 2025 will work with the Ridgefield Garden Club on a garden tour on June 8. These major fundraising events are the work of countless volunteers.
Members and volunteers are vital to the Ridgefield Historical Society mission and we welcome your interest and support. There are short-term projects as well as ongoing opportunities to do the work to “preserve, interpret, and foster public knowledge of Ridgefield’s historical, cultural, and architectural heritage,” as our organizational mission statement says. The Society hosted an Opening of the Vault Party for members of the Catoonah Circle on Oct. 17. Exclusive viewing of seldom seen artifacts from the collection and guided tours of the vault beneath the historic Scott House took place.
For more information or to inquire about membership and volunteer opportunities, please visit https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/