On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Ridgefield Historical Society welcomed a sold-out group of history enthusiasts for the highly anticipated Great Estates Bus Tour, led by local historian and author Jack Sanders. The event, which followed the sold-out tour held in November 2024, offered a one-of-a-kind journey through Ridgefield’s storied past and a rare glimpse into a long-gone era when grand properties dotted the town’s landscape.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ridgefield’s healthy air and sweeping vistas attracted New York’s elite, who built opulent summer retreats amid the town’s open fields and rolling hills. At a time when most of the trees had been cleared, these great houses boasted views stretching as far as the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, and even Manhattan.
During the 25-mile narrated tour, Sanders shared the captivating histories of more than 20 of these magnificent estates, bringing to life the families, fortunes, and transformations that shaped Ridgefield’s Gilded Age. Participants followed along with Sanders’ book, Ridgefield’s Great Estates, using its detailed illustrations and historical insights as companions to the sights outside their windows. From the elegance of Oreneca to the fireproof fortress of Upagenstit and the enduring legacy of Twixt Hills, the stories offered a fascinating window into the town’s grand past.
Along the way, Sanders also pointed out other notable sites of historical interest, emphasizing the importance of preserving Ridgefield’s rich heritage. For those who missed this exclusive event, copies of Ridgefield’s Great Estates are available through the Ridgefield Historical Society and our friends at Books on the Common.
