News
Grace Clewell, In Memorium
The Ridgefield Historical Society mourns the passing of former board member and longtime volunteer Grace Clewell, whose many years of dedicated service helped preserve and share Ridgefield’s history.
From our Vault to Main Street, Ridgefield History is the Focus
Ridgefield Historical Society’s fall happenings ranged from Scott House gatherings to Main Street walks.
Cooking Up History: Recipes of the Past
This month’s item from the collection is “Choice Recipes,” a cookbook from the early 1900s, put together by the women of Jesse Lee Memorial Church. Printed by The Ridgefield Press, this book was likely circulated amongst the families of the church to share easy staples and gourmet family favorites.
Sanders Gives Publishing Rights to Ridgefield Historical Society
Town Historian Jack Sanders has transferred the publishing rights for 16 of his books to the Ridgefield Historical Society, ensuring that these works will continue to be available in years to come and providing an income stream to the historical society.
Ridgefield Native Tyler Ingram Joins Staff as New Collections Manager
The new collections manager for the Ridgefield Historical Society is a Ridgefield native and a recent graduate of The George Washington University, Tyler Ingram.
Jon Seem, Volunteer and Friend
The Ridgefield Historical Society mourns the loss of our good friend and supporter Jonathan David “Jon” Seem, 61, who died suddenly on Friday, Sept. 25. The husband of our former president Tracy Ringgold Seem, he was the father of Jake and Harrison Seem.
Reviewing the Year and Looking Forward: Ridgefield Historical Society Annual Meeting
The Ridgefield Historical Society invites members to its annual meeting on Oct. 20 to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and look ahead to an exciting 2027 filled with major programs, partnerships, and the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield.
A Jubilee Year for St. Elizabeth Seton Hall Parish
St. Elizabeth Seton Parish celebrates 50 years of faith, service, and fellowship in Ridgefield, honoring the founding families and parishioners who built and sustained its vibrant community.
Celebration of Life for Rob Orr on October 25th
Remembering longtime Ridgefield Historical Society volunteer Rob Orr, whose curiosity about his own historic home grew into decades of dedication to preserving and sharing Ridgefield’s history.
Commission is Considering Two New Historic Districts
The Ridgefield Historic District Commission, with support from the Ridgefield Historical Society, is working to establish new local historic districts on West Lane and Olmstead Lane to help preserve the distinctive historic character of these important Ridgefield neighborhoods.
Midnight at the Movie Theater: Halloween in Ridgefield’s Past
This month’s items from the collection, a novelty envelope of “nerve powder” handed out to promote the movie Curse of the Cat People at the Ridgefield Playhouse, plus ticket stubs found in a scrapbook of Helen (Keeler) Kallos (2022.057.056), represent a tradition of a bygone era: a late-night double feature at the Ridgefield Playhouse.
Historical Society Opens New Oral History Project to Honor and Share Town’s 9/11 Memories
The Ridgefield Historical Society is seeking to record the experiences of Ridgefielders whose lives were touched by the events of 9/11.
School’s Not In Session: The History of the Ridgefield School for Boys
Founded in 1907, the Ridgefield School for Boys boarded boys ages 11-18 preparing them for college and beyond.
Annual 9/11 Remembrance Exhibit in Town Hall Now
Historical Society’s annual 9/11 remembrance exhibit in Town Hall now includes a banner created by Veterans Park Elementary School students, guided by art teacher Leslie Hudson-Tolles in 2001.
Meet the Interns
The Scott House, headquarters of the Ridgefield Historical Society, hosted more than a dozen interns this summer working on research, cataloging and collections.
Ridgefield Historical Society Receives $35,000 CT Humanities Grant to Support Battle of Ridgefield Documentary
Connecticut Humanities to support production of “The Battle of Ridgefield: A New Look at 250”, bringing Ridgefield’s Revolutionary War Story to life.
“On Board” with Carsten Hils
New Board Member Carsten Hils leads the Historical Society development and fundraising efforts.
Ridgefield LGBTQIA+ Oral History Project Wins 2026 AASLH Award of Excellence
Our collaborative community history project has received national recognition for bringing long-overlooked voices into Ridgefield’s historical record and expanding how local history is preserved, shared, and understood.
Ridgefield Historical Society Awards 2026 Scholarship to Pearce Steele
This year’s scholarship honors a student whose academic achievement and community involvement reflect the values at the heart of local history work.
The Queer Side of Ridgefield
This new book shares LGBTQIA+ experiences of Ridgefield through personal stories gathered during our community oral history project, preserving voices and perspectives that will broaden the understanding of the town’s history.
Ridgefield Historical Society Seeks Garden Volunteers for Historic Properties
A hands-on volunteer group is helping preserve the beauty and character of the outdoor spaces that surround some of Ridgefield’s most distinctive historic and architectural landmarks.