Related Content: https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/100-years-of-impact/
Tour a remarkable 1930s home featuring a carefully curated collection of art and furniture, walk its peaceful Japanese-inspired garden, and learn more about the legacy of the man who built it – all in one exclusive afternoon in June as the Ridgefield Historical Society kicks off its “Mad for Modern” series.
“Japanese-influenced Modern: House Talk and Garden Walk” will be held 3-6 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Advance reservation required. Tickets on sale now at ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/programs-events.
The event is the first program in a new series presented by the Historical Society on architecture, design and the built environment of Ridgefield’s modern and postmodern era. Developed under the W. Arthur Architectural Archives, the “Mad for Modern” series will explore the town’s 20th-century transformation through evolving design practices, materials and patterns of suburban growth.
The tour will give enthusiasts of Modernism a peek at its earliest influences, as the house itself features the strong indoor-outdoor connection and use of glass that later became hallmarks of Modern architecture. The extensive gardens, heavily influenced by Japanese principles of harmony in nature, are at a peak spring bloom in early June.
“The event is designed to share both architectural features of the house and the important 20th century impact of its former owner,” said Stephen Bartkus, executive director of the Ridgefield Historical Society, “Paolino Gerli, who spent summers in Ridgefield through the ’30s, built an American silk trade that continues still today, and helped rebuild post-war Japanese-U.S. trade.”
The afternoon will feature a talk indoors by cultural historian and family descendent E. Michael Gerli. The group will move outdoors with a guided walk through the gardens, complete with koi pond and Japanese tea house. The event concludes with drinks and light refreshments.
As an organization dedicated to history and preservation, the Ridgefield Historical Society explores the full sweep of Ridgefield’s history, from its well-known colonial times to the post-WWII era and its impact on the town’s trajectory and growth throughout the last century.
Tickets for this program are $75 per person and $65 per person for Ridgefield Historical Society members (members should enter discount code 10OFF at checkout). PLEASE DO NOT USE THE DISCOUNT CODE IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER. If you’re not a member of the Historical Society, we welcome you to join by clicking HERE. If you are unsure of your membership status, contact [email protected] or call 203-438-5821. Tickets are limited, nonrefundable and available only in advance. Location details provided with reservation. The event will take place rain or shine. For more information contact [email protected] or 203-438-5821.
