News
On Board: Sharon Dunphy
As the Ridgefield Historical Society enters our 21st year and continues to expand our work, programs, and activities, we introduce you to our current team of board leaders.
Another Lovely Sunday at the Schoolhouse
The Peter Parley Schoolhouse enjoyed a steady stream of visitors on Sunday, September 25 as we opened our doors — and paid homage to star pupil, Cyrus Northrop.
On Board: President Tracy Seem
As the Ridgefield Historical Society enters our 21st year and continues to expand our work, programs, and activities, we introduce you to our current team of board leaders.
A Peter Parley Party!
It’s not every day you celebrate the 229th anniversary of your birth. But when you do, it’s cause for festivity. This year, the Ridgefield Historical Society honored Peter Parley on the occasion of his 229th birthday. It was remarkably fun.
Ridgefield Historical Society and Town of Ridgefield Awarded CT SHPO Grants
Thanks to two grants from the CT State Historic Preservation Office, the Ridgefield Historical Society will soon embark on an updated architectural survey 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.
Ridgefield Historical Society Seeks Volunteers, Board Members
Founded just 20 years ago, the Ridgefield Historical Society has made a big impact in a short time. We are now seeking new board members and volunteers who wish to join us as we continue to steward Ridgefield’s magnificent history and heritage.
On Board: Kevin Julier and Jason Zides
This summer, Kevin Julier and Jason Zides joined the Ridgefield Historical Society Board, bringing technical expertise and passion to the talented, working group.
Waldo Introduces a New Generation to the Scott House
For the first time, the Ridgefield Historical Society participated in the Books on the Common Where’s Waldo program this July. It kept us on our toes and introduced us to lots of new friends.
Scott House Journal, July 2022
Topics: The ‘New’ Ridgefield High School turns 50; Josie Hoyt’s Diaries offer offer insights into Ridgefield history in the late 1800s — births and deaths, the Blizzard of 1888, escapades at the Titicus School, a murder-suicide, and more.
Museum in the Streets Gets a Good Washing
On Thursday, July 28, the Ridgefield Historical Society team took to the streets to clean the Museum in the Streets historic plaques. And, unsurprisingly, a very good time was had by all.
Treasures from the Archives: Wooden Voting Box
This wooden voting box was used by the Ridgefield Italian American Club to vote on membership. It was donated to the Historical Society by Irene M. Gray in 2018.
You Can Ring Your Bells!
On this Fourth of July, Ridgefield will be celebrating Let Freedom Ring, a long-standing tradition in which local churches, institutions, and individuals ring their bells 13 times at 2:00pm to celebrate our freedom and independence.
Summer Reading With a Historical Flavor
Looking for some summer reading with a Ridgefield flavor? The gift shop at the Ridgefield Historical Society has some suggestions for entertaining reading that will give you a new understanding
Meet Our Interns (Round 2)
This summer, we welcome two new interns to the Ridgefield Historical Society ranks, Elizabeth Jasminski and Francesco Carro.
38-Star Flag
There are multiple antique American flags in the archives of the Ridgefield Historical Society. However, this one is likely the oldest, having only 38 stars.
Tyler Ingram Wins Inaugural Ridgefield Historical Society Scholarship
For the first time ever, the Ridgefield Historical Society will be awarding a $1000 scholarship to a Ridgefield High School senior with a demonstrated bent for history. Ridgefield history, to be specific.
Treasures from the Archives: Two Dresses
The following items from the Historical Society’s archives were hand-selected and researched by our two Ridgefield High School interns, Sara Shepherd and Tyler Ingram. Suffragist Dress This dress was previously
First Pride Day, 1998
FIRST ‘PRIDE’ DAY: “A Celebration of Community: Straight, Gay and Lesbian“ took place in 1998, on the Community Center lawn. Just a year later, a Rainbow Flag was flown for the first time in the nation over a state capitol, Hartford, on March 21, 1999.
Meet the RHS Interns
It’s May 2022 and for the next several weeks, we have the good fortune to have our Ridgefield High School interns on board, lending an extra hand and a fresh
Cyrus Northrop: From Weary One-Room Pupil to Major University President
Cyrus Northrop’s story is the quintessential “local boy makes good.” He attended the Peter Parley Schoolhouse in the 1840s, and we’ll celebrate his birth month on Sunday, Sept. 25.
