Mark the Anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield on April 27 with Events at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center

Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center is commemorating the Battle of Ridgefield all day Tuesday, April 27 with a series of engaging and educational experiences: free tours, activity kits for young people, and a virtual happy hour celebrating Connecticut spirit.

Want to learn the role Keeler Tavern played in the Battle of Ridgefield, or the origins of our famous cannonball? Visit our beautiful site on Main Street in Ridgefield and take advantage of free specialty Colonial Tours, offered at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27. These tours, led by skilled storytelling docents in colonial dress, share how our site’s former residents contributed to the Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Ridgefield. Reservations are required. If you can’t make it on Tuesday, we also offer guided outdoor tours on a regular basis every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Looking for a fun and educational way to teach kids about the Battle of Ridgefield and other important local historic people, places, events? Keeler Activity Kits use core KTM&HC school programs to teach state and local history in an engaging way. They explore unique stories from our museum that bring the history of where we live to life. All kits complement each other and build on stories found in "Where I Live: Connecticut," a resource developed by Connecticut Explored that talks about the history, culture, and geography of Connecticut. Kits range in price from $10 to $26 and are designed for kids in grades 3-5.

Interested in mixing history and drinks? Join us to commemorate the Battle of Ridgefield with a virtual history-themed happy hour. KTM&HC will host a lively discussion about the latest findings from the Ridgefield Historical Society's National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program grant. We'll also talk with Doug Haynes, long-time KTM&HC neighbor and owner of the Fountain Inn B&B in Ridgefield, who was inspired by the events of the American Revolution to write historical fiction. And we’ll hear Timothy Keeler, a.k.a. George Hancock, recount the story of what happened on that fateful April day in 1777. All registrants will receive a recipe for our specialty drink.

To sign up for a colonial tour or to register for “A Toast to Connecticut Spirit,” click here or go to our website at keelertavernmuseum.org/events. To purchase Keeler Activity Kits, stop by the Visitor Center on Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. or buy online here.