Programs & Events

On Saturday, April 26, 2025 the Ridgefield Historical Society will host one hour long walking tours at 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, and 12:00pm to commemorate the 248th Anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield, which took place on April 27, 1777. This was the only inland engagement of the Revolutionary War fought in Connecticut and we will commemorate the courage of a vastly outnumbered Patriot force led by Generals David Wooster, Benedict Arnold, and Gold Selleck Silliman, who confronted a force of 2,000 British troops that had burned Danbury.

The Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tour is a “living history” event produced by the Ridgefield Historical Society under the direction of local luminary Dr. Darla Shaw. Revolutionary War characters will be brought to life by actors in period costumes, including Benedict Arnold, General Tryon, and Anna Stebbins, among others, who will be stationed at stops along the east side of Main Street, beginning at the Battle of Ridgefield sign at Casagmo Condominium Association, and ending at the British cannonball lodged in Keeler Tavern. The tour is around one mile long, an hour in length, and each stop will feature a short, entertaining, and informative performance.

Tours will take place rain or shine and will be capped at 20 people per group. Park at the nearest public lot, walk to the meeting location on Main Street at the entrance of Casagmo Condominium Association, and check in no later than 10 minutes before your tour departure time as tours will depart promptly. If you’re late or miss your tour, we unfortunately won’t be able to add you to another tour.

Tickets are limited, nonrefundable, and are expected to sell out: $15 each for Ridgefield Historical Society members (members should enter promo code 5OFF at checkout), $20 each for non-members. If you’re not a member of the Historical Society, we welcome you to join by clicking HERE. For more information, email [email protected] or call 203-438-5821.

Get a limited edition Battle of Ridgefield t-shirt by the Ridgefield Historical Society! See an image of the shirt below. Mark this anniversary with our official commemorative tee. Secure yours today and wear a piece of history on the tour: PLACE YOUR ORDER HERE

Also, on Thur. April 24, 6:30-7:30pm, Dr. David Naumec, an archaeologist and historian with Heritage Consultants, will give the illustrated presentation about the Ridgefield Historical Society’s Battle of Ridgefield Archaeology Project, at St. Stephen’s Church North Hall, 353 Main Street, in Ridgefield: PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THIS PRESENTATION HERE

Please note: Keeler Tavern is also offering complimentary ‘War at Home’ tours of their museum on Saturday, April 26. Participants of the 10:30am Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tour are welcome to join the 11:30am ‘War at Home’ tour inside Keeler Tavern. Similarly, attendees of the 12:00 pm Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tour can join the 1:00 pm ‘War at Home’ tour. Tickets are limited and advance registration for the ‘War at Home’ tour is required though Keeler Tavern at the following link: https://keelertavernmuseum.org/events/489/battle-of-ridgefield-anniversary/