Battlefield Research and Stewardship
Preserving Our History
In November 2019, the Battle of Ridgefield became the subject of intense interest with the finding of human remains under the basement of a historic house, which sits not far from the main engagement. This battle was the only inland engagement of the Revolutionary War fought in Connecticut.
The Ridgefield Historical Society, in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office, received a multi-year grant from the National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program to convert this enthusiasm into preservation action and long-term stewardship of this important site through community-based dialogue.
For more information about our Battle of Ridgefield project, please email: [email protected]
Battle of Ridgefield Fund
The Ridgefield Historical Society has established a special Battle of Ridgefield Fund to provide financial support for the forensic work and for the eventual reinterment of the remains to help identify and honor the men who died on Ridgefield’s battleground.
Updates:
Sen. Blumenthal Praises NPS $117,714 Grant for Ridgefield Historical Society Battleground Study
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal visited the Ridgefield Historical Society on Tuesday morning, Aug. 8, 2023 to celebrate a $117,714 Preservation Planning Grant through the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program.
2023 Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tours
The Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tours went off as planned on Saturday, April 29th, featuring eight historical characters, a mile-long route, and plenty of raindrops.
Own a Piece of Ridgefield History
Own a limited-edition printed 72-page book documenting the 245th reenactment of the Battle of Ridgefield.
Community Contributes to Battlefield Planning
In spring 2022, the Ridgefield Historical Society invited community members to offer ideas and suggestions for future Battle of Ridgefield programming and commemorations. Here are the results.
After the Battle: Looking to the future with a pair of town planning sessions
The Ridgefield Historical Society is conducting Battle of Ridgefield Community Planning Charrettes to look to the future and consider how Ridgefield might integrate the Battle of Ridgefield history into our current landscape.
Battle of Ridgefield 245th Anniversary Photos
The Town of Ridgefield and Ridgefield Historical Society celebrated the occasion with a full weekend of events, turning back the clock, and bringing the history and characters of the time alive.
Scott House Journal, April 2022
Topics: New research turns up tantalizing clues for historians; Great Fire of 1895; Battle of Ridgefield 245th Anniversary.
RHS Commended by the Cannon Ridge Chapter of the NSDAR
On Sunday, April 10, the Ridgefield Historical Society was presented with an America 250 Commendation by the recently-formed Cannon Ridge Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).
Battlefield Research Blog Entry #12: Battle of Ridgefield Technical Report
Findings from Phase 1 research have been released as a technical report. Two planning workshops are scheduled to engage the public about the future of the Battlefield work.
Please Join Us for a Community Conversation (aka a ‘Charrette’)
For the last many weeks, Ridgefield has been immersed in the past, commemorating the 245th Anniversary of the 1777 Battle of Ridgefield. Now it’s time to look ahead — to
Battle of Ridgefield 245th Anniversary Weekend
The Town of Ridgefield and Ridgefield Historical Society are celebrating the occasion with a full weekend of events, turning back the clock, and bringing the history and characters of the time alive, as well as introducing new important discoveries regarding the Battle.
Battlefield Research Blog Entry #11: British Artillery at the Battle of Ridgefield
Ridgefield Historical Society staff and researchers from Heritage Consultants, LLC are documenting areas in town where fighting occurred in addition to the three most well-known engagements along Route 116. What is less known is the fighting that occurred throughout town afterwards which may be described as a “fourth engagement.”
Watch for ongoing updates to this developing story:
- Three skeletons, possibly Revolutionary War soldiers, found under Ridgefield house, Stephen Coulter, Ridgefield Press, 12/17/2019
- Skeletons found near Ridgefield battle site fascinates history lovers, Macklin Reid, Ridgefield Press, 12/18/19
- Revolutionary War soldiers? State archaeologist believes Ridgefield skeletons fit the bill, Stephen Coulter, Ridgefield Press, 12/18/2019
- Experts to determine if remains found in Ridgefield are from American Revolution, reported by Mark Sudol, News 12 Connecticut, 12/18/2019
- Digging Up History in Ridgefield: Archaeologist, Historians, Scientist Study Three Skeletons, Possibly Revolutionary War Soldiers, HamletHub, 12/18/2019
- Skeletons that may be the remains of Revolutionary War soldiers discovered beneath historic house, Fox News, 12/20/2019
- QU Students Studying Skeletal Remains Found in Ridgefield (video), NBC Connecticut, 1/3/2020
- Possible Revolutionary War remains studied at Quinnipiac University in North Haven, Record-Journal, 1/3/2020
- Tests Begin on Bones That May Be Revolutionary War Soldiers, U.S. News, 1/3/2020
- Skeletal Remains Found in Ridgefield May Be Revolutionary War Soldiers, UConn Today, 1/15/2020
- Fourth skeleton discovered in Ridgefield, Ridgefield Press, 1/20/2020
- Update coming on Ridgefield skeletons, News Times, 2/28/2020
Testing on the skeletal remains was suspended due to the pandemic. We are awaiting news of any change to this situation from state archaeologist Sarah Sportman.
