The Keeler "Pink House" - An Indefensible Loss
There was to be a celebration that day last week. A celebration sustaining Ridgefield’s 300 years of history, culture and community, as reflected in a Ridgebury c. 1717 “Pink” House” that had not only survived since the first decades of our Town, but held within the Keeler’s family’s continuous ownership for all but the last few years of it’s existence; that is until it was purchased by the immediate property’s neighbor, the Martinsen family.
During its long, locally treasured lifetime, it had witnessed the creation of a vibrant surrounding Ridgebury community ….. Keeler family owned Taverns visited by General Washington and Count Rochambeau with his army, established local stores & workshops and the founding of the nearby Ridgebury Congregational Church in the 1760’s. Earlier this year and in recognition of these historic attributes, the State of Connecticut’s Culture & Tourism Commission providing a Preservation Grant for the eventual listing the Keeler House on the State & National Register of Historic Places.
At stake was irreplaceable Ridgefield history & culture, when a “Notice of Demolition” was filed by the Martinsen’s (instead of a hoped for restoration effort similar to the recent 1700’s “McKeon” house’s preservation just down the road). Our Town and community resources were immediate mobilized to act, to save it for future generations via several identified potential Ridgebury uses. A few months of focused efforts and with no critical property ownership hardships being imposed on the Martinsen’s waiting; the necessary legal agreements were successfully negotiated, initial preservation funding necessary to save the structure was pledged & available, all property owner requested cost coverage & abatements were granted, structure preservation/removal/utility company estimates obtained and the “closing” date for the Town acquiring ownership of the Keeler “Pink House” agreed and communicated via both client party’s representative attorneys.
That settlement/signing date was set for last Wednesday, August 5th, 2009; the very same morning that a Ridgebury Keeler family member contacted Town Hall, emotionally reporting that a “contractor was taking the house down,”demolishing one of his family’s and the Town of Ridgefield’s earliest historical & architectural legacies, for the want of the Martinsen’s waiting one more day !!!
Our ”Pink House” is now gone forever ..… but it’s story must not be forgotten. Such an unrecoverable act of destruction and degradation of our historical & cultural heritage and our much envied community character, should not be allowed to happen again.
Gary J. Singer 35 Main Street Ridgefield, CT.
And President, Ridgefield Historical Society
To our Members and Friends on Ridgefield's 300th Anniversary,
Although the Ridgefield Historical Society, founded in 2001, is one of the youngest historical societies in New England; we have inherited a 300 year history rich with events, places and notable people. A significant chapter of our most recent history was the preservation, period reconstruction and relocation of the c.1714 David Scott House to Sunset Lane, as the Society’s first home. It has become a community-wide focus for preserving our historical archives, protecting historic structures, sites & graveyards, fostering new educational opportunities and sponsoring celebratory events.
The Ridgefield Historical Society fulfills its mission by offering the community access to its diverse archival holdings through the latest in communications, computer and information technologies. Materials are catalogued and stored in a certified archival vault. And the Society also provides an historic meeting space and a garden “sitting stone” for quiet contemplation.
As we begin the fourth century since our Town’s beginnings, the Ridgefield Historical Society offers a sincere “thank you” for the continued support that the community provides. And a very special posthumous recognition to our departed founder-mentor, Jeanne Timpanelli, without whose vision, leadership and perseverance much of what we are today and will be in future, would not have been possible. Her spirit lives on in the Society’s work and the importance of the volunteerism she fostered.
This year, we celebrate Ridgefield’s unique and significant 300 year history and look forward to experiencing the events and people who will shape our community in the 21st century. Your Historical Society promises continued efforts to promote, among residents & visitors alike, a greater appreciation and respect for our shared heritage, our uniquely preserved architecture and our Town’s very special character.
Let the Celebrations begin !!!,
Gary J. Singer, President