Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center Announces “Soft” Opening of Historic Site for Outdoor Activities Only on Sunday, May 24
Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center is excited to announce the re-opening of its historic site for outdoor activities only on Sunday, May 24, 2020 in accordance with state guidelines for re-opening Museum & Zoos. All indoor spaces, including the Visitor Center, Museum, Garden House, Carriage Barn, Museum Shop, and restrooms are currently still closed to the public and will re-open in line with Governor Lamont’s directive. No guided tours are currently offered.
“We’re thrilled to be able to re-open our beautiful historic site to the visiting public this Memorial Day weekend starting with our spectacular gardens and our self-guided ‘Gilberts in the Gardens’ walking tour,” said Hildegard Grob, executive director. “We ask anyone visiting to strictly follow town guidelines for wearing face coverings or masks and for maintaining a 6-foot social distance to fellow visitors.
When entering the walled garden, we ask everyone to please follow the signs for one-way flow to ensure as much space as possible between visiting groups. Groups of more than 5 people are still prohibited. We will post signage around our campus to remind visitors of these important precautions which were put in place for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.”
Visitors will also be able to see the famous cannonball lodged in the corner post of the historic tavern building when the British fired on the tavern during the Battle of Ridgefield in 1777. The cannonball is currently protected by plexiglass to prevent anyone from touching it.
The Museum Shop is offering porch pick up on Wednesdays (and other days by appointment) for pre-ordered items. Contact Margo McEachern for details about the Museum Shop at 203-482-1939.
KTM&HC tells 300 years of the town’s—and nation’s—history through the lives of its past residents. The 4-acre historic site is currently open for outdoor visits to the Cass Gilbert-designed Walled Garden and Rose Arbor and the famous cannonball embedded in the Keeler Tavern Museum. The Visitor Center, Keeler Tavern Museum, Garden House, and Carriage Barn are temporarily closed pursuant to state and local health guidelines for social distancing in the time of the coronavirus. Additional information about the site, including updates about programming and events, as well as rental of the Cass Gilbert-designed Garden House and Walled Garden, can be found at keelertavernmuseum.org., @KeelerTavernMuseum on Facebook and Instagram, and @KeelerTavern on Twitter.