Yesterday, Friday, May 22nd, the Town of Ridgefield was honored with the distinction of being named Connecticut’s first Cultural District, an initiative launched through legislation proposed by former State Representative John Frey in 2018 and made possible by a group of dedicated community members including ECDC Commissioner Glori Norwitt and Chair Geoffrey Morris.
“The Cultural District designation recognizes that Ridgefield has an expansive yet walkable downtown area that makes the town a cultural powerhouse. It’s like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval,” said Morris.
The celebration took place at the Aldrich Museum and featured several speeches from local artistic and political leaders, as well as, the unveiling of the Connecticut Cultural District logo, designed by Jonathan Winn of Thrown Stone.
Several of these leaders spoke to the impact of Ridgefield’s cultural hub and how the arts persevered through the pandemic.
“Goodbye Zoom and hello Ridgefield!” was the introductory line of Governor Lamont who continued to reflect on the hardships which arose from the pandemic. However, he noted the silver linings of the past 14 months as there has been a recent influx of families and younger individuals becoming Connecticut residents, something not seen in years. This past summer, more people visited Connecticut parks and beaches than ever seen in state history.
Governor Lamont also thanked former State Representative Frey for his action in creating this new state distinction which was a common theme of the day.
Allison Stockel remarked, "It is the people who created this district."
“This has been a multitude of years in the making and now we are reaching the goal line,” said First Selectman Rudy Marconi.
As noted by Shapiro of the CDECD, in discussing culture and the arts it is important to honor and thank those who precede and paved the way for Ridgefield’s richness and strength in these facets.
“I wanted to note that The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum exists on the ancestral homelands of the Ramapo, Lenape, and Wiechquaesgeck who have been living and working on this land since time immemorial,” said Shapiro.
While the distinction pays homage to those who came before, it will also launch Ridgefield into the future – bringing new visitors and tourists to town. Carnicelli of the historic West Lane Inn emphasized how Ridgefield's local museums, theaters, and events draw people from far and wide, creating avenues for local business and historic and art organizations to collaborate and build strong community oriented partnerships.
The culmination of factors such as the pandemic bringing people from the city into the suburbs, the popularity of CT open spaces, and the cultural significance which our town holds truly highlights the artistic, historical, and cultural significance of our town.
Governor Lamont expressed this stating, “People are now rediscovering Ridgefield … and what makes this state so great.”
Signs will soon be placed on the north and south ends of Main Street, marking when visitors enter the Cultural District.