Ridgefield Historical Society

The Sept. 15 Ridgefield History Club meeting will focus on a short stretch of Ridgefield that has held more than its share of Ridgefield history.

Olmstead Lane, being proposed as a new town Historic District (an added West Lane district is also up for consideration), was home to many Olmsteads, as well as Smiths and other early Ridgefielders, but it’s also been a place where town officials of the 20th Century made their homes, and where a man who rescued some of the most renowned artists and writers from the Nazis once lived. It’s also where screen actors enjoyed gardening and a pop star found a refuge for a few years.
Jack Sanders, town historian and resident of Olmstead Lane for more that 54 years, will give an illustrated talk about the street he calls home (where the first town historian, Dick Venus, also lived for many years) at the 10 a.m. meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Scott House, 4 Sunset Lane.
Ridgefield History Club is an informal gathering where participants are encouraged to take part in the conversation. It’s presented by the Ridgefield Historical Society and is free; reservations are requested online here because space is limited.
Each session is recorded and cataloged in the Historical Society’s archive to preserve these stories for future generations. The program is also streamed live on Facebook and uploaded to our YouTube channel. Everyone is invited, just bring your curiosity and your love of history. Some attend every month, while others join when a topic holds special meaning for them. Longtime Ridgefield residents and newcomers alike are welcome. This free program is a wonderful way to connect with others and discover new insights into our town’s heritage.

Local Event: Ridgefield History Club: The History of Olmstead Lane

Fairfield County

Ridgefield

Connecticut

Ridgefield History Club: The History of...

The Sept. 15 Ridgefield History Club meeting will focus on a short stretch of Ridgefield that has held more than its share of...

Ridgefield History Club: The History of Olmstead Lane

What do Halloween, witch hunts, an English King, pallbearers, Leviticus, and public education have in common?
The answer to that puzzle will be the focus of the Ridgefield History Club on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Ridgefield Historical Society’s Scott House, 4 Sunset Lane. Susan Kweskin will lead an illustrated group discussion on Connecticut’s dark past, its own witch trials, the people who fueled them, and their enduring impact. Deeply ingrained beliefs, fears, and cultural habits of the Connecticut colonists didn’t vanish with the 18th century — they continue to shape our laws, holiday traditions, and even our daily lives in Ridgefield.
<figure><img src="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/image-3-500x382.png" srcset="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/image-3-500x382.png 500w, https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/image-3-300x229.png 300w, https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/image-3-768x587.png 768w, https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/image-3.png 1040w"><figcaption>Examination of a Witch&nbsp;(1853) by&nbsp;T. H. Matteson, inspired by the Salem trials</figcaption></figure>
The Ridgefield History Club is an informal community storytelling program of the Ridgefield Historical Society. The group meets for an hour on the third Tuesday of every month to explore a specific topic in Ridgefield’s history through shared conversation.
Each session is recorded and cataloged in the Historical Society’s archive to preserve these stories for future generations. The program is also streamed live on Facebook and uploaded to the Society’s YouTube channel. Everyone is invited—just bring your curiosity and love of history. Some attend every month, while others join when a topic holds special meaning for them. Longtime Ridgefield residents and newcomers alike are welcome. This free program is a wonderful way to connect with others and discover new insights into the town’s heritage.

Local Event: Witch Trials, Blue Laws, and the Tooth Fairy: The Legacy of Colonial Connecticut

Witch Trials, Blue Laws, and the Tooth Fairy:...

What do Halloween, witch hunts, an English King, pallbearers, Leviticus, and public education have in common?
The answer to...

Witch Trials, Blue Laws, and the Tooth Fairy: The Legacy of Colonial Connecticut

West Lane/Peter Parley Schoolhouse

Nearly a century ago, Cyrus B. Northrop Jr., the beloved president emeritus of the University of Minnesota, died at the age of 87. The Ridgefield native and graduate of the West Lane District/Peter Parley School, had served as the university’s president from 1884 to 1911, overseeing tremendous growth at the school. There were 289 students when he arrived and 5,000 when he retired, on a Minneapolis campus that went from two buildings to 23.&nbsp;
We’ll celebrate this renowned education leader, youngest son of a Ridgefield farming family, at Sunday’s Open House at the West Lane/Peter Parley Schoolhouse, Sept. 27, 1 to 4 p.m.&nbsp;
Please join us to learn about the first school that Cyrus Northrop attended and how education was organized in Ridgefield during his school days here. We’ll have refreshments and Town Historian Jack Sanders will be available to answer questions, with hosts Sally Sanders, Nancy Rowe, and Georgia Loomis. The Ridgefield Historical Society maintains the school as a small museum.

Local Event: Schoolhouse Sunday Celebrates Northrop

Schoolhouse Sunday Celebrates Northrop

Nearly a century ago, Cyrus B. Northrop Jr., the beloved president emeritus of the University of Minnesota, died at the age of...

Jesse Lee Church

Take a walk through the history of southern Main Street with author and town historian Jack Sanders on Saturday, Oct. 10 (rain date Oct. 17), at 10 a.m. The 90-minute walk will begin and end at Jesse Lee United Methodist Church at 207 Main Street (corner of King Lane and Main Street). He is the author of <a href="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/rhs-shop/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ambling Along Old Main Street</a>.

Sanders will share stories about the many interesting people who have lived in homes and had businesses on Main Street on a route that will go north as far as St. Stephen’s Church and south as far as the southernmost crosswalk on Main Street. He’ll describe buildings that are no longer standing as well as tell how some have been altered or moved.
The group size is limited to twenty people, age 12 or older. Tickets are limited and nonrefundable, all sales are final. Pricing is $35 or discounted at $30 for active members of the Ridgefield Historical Society.

Local Event: Main Street Walking Tour with Jack Sanders

Main Street Walking Tour with Jack Sanders

Take a walk through the history of southern Main Street with author and town historian Jack Sanders on Saturday, Oct. 10 (rain...

Battle of Ridgefield 250th approaches; Bus tour to explore battlefield route and new discoveries
As the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield approaches, the Ridgefield Historical Society is offering a rare opportunity to travel the route of the British troops and hear firsthand about archaeological discoveries that have transformed our understanding of the battle.
<figure><img src="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Gallon-Farmers-Against-the-Crown-2020-1024x608.webp" srcset="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Gallon-Farmers-Against-the-Crown-2020-1024x608.webp 1024w, https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Gallon-Farmers-Against-the-Crown-2020-300x178.webp 300w, https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Gallon-Farmers-Against-the-Crown-2020-768x456.webp 768w, https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Gallon-Farmers-Against-the-Crown-2020.webp 1200w"></figure>
Battlefield historian and archaeologist Dr. David Naumec, who worked on the Ridgefield Historical Society’s two National Park Service battlefield research projects, will narrate a bus tour following the route taken by British troops from Danbury through Ridgefield on April 27, 1777. Along the way, he will highlight key engagements, archaeological discoveries, and new evidence that has expanded knowledge of how the Battle of Ridgefield unfolded.
The Battle of Ridgefield Bus Tour will take place Sunday, Oct. 18, starting at 10 a.m. from the Scott House, 4 Sunset Lane. Space aboard the bus is very limited, making this a special opportunity to experience the battlefield landscape with one of the historians directly involved in its recent investigation. The tour is expected to last about 90 minutes.
The Scott House itself has a connection to the events of April 27, 1777. In its original location on Main Street, the 1714 saltbox stood near some of the heaviest fighting of the battle. Today, as headquarters of the Ridgefield Historical Society, it sits within another area associated with the battle.
<figure><img src="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/David-J.-Naumec-399x500.jpeg" srcset="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/David-J.-Naumec-399x500.jpeg 399w, https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/David-J.-Naumec-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/David-J.-Naumec.jpeg 480w"></figure>
A historian, archaeologist and museum consultant, Dr. Naumec was named Historic New England’s Revolution 250 Research Scholar, studying New England’s Indigenous and African American Revolutionary War veterans. A graduate of UConn, he holds a master’s degree in History and Museum Studies from Tufts University and a PhD in Race and Ethnicity in Early America through the Civil War from Clark University. His research interests include Native American history, colonial North America, Connecticut history and battlefield archaeology. He is museum manager of the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House and Lighthouse Museum with Historic Stonington.
Tickets are limited, nonrefundable, and are expected to sell out quickly

Local Event: Battle of Ridgefield Bus Tour

Battle of Ridgefield Bus Tour

Battle of Ridgefield 250th approaches; Bus tour to explore battlefield route and new discoveries
As the 250th anniversary of...

The glamour and excitement of Ridgefield’s famed Stonehenge Inn during the 1950s will be the focus of the Ridgefield History Club on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m. at the Ridgefield Historical Society’s Scott House, 4 Sunset Lane. Historical Society board member Keith Russell will lead an illustrated group discussion, “Clarence Korker’s The Golden Age of Stonehenge – The 1950s,” featuring recently digitized photographs of the inn’s celebrated guests, staff and social life, including entertainers Judy Garland and Jackie Cooper.

Clarence “Korky” Korker documented Ridgefield from the mid- to late 20th century through thousands of photographs and negatives. After retiring, he donated his extensive collection to the Ridgefield Historical Society. Russell has been gradually digitizing the images and adding them to the Society’s online archive. The collection ranges from portraits, weddings and community gatherings to streetscapes, commercial buildings and celebrities visiting Stonehenge Inn.
The Ridgefield History Club is an informal community storytelling program of the Ridgefield Historical Society. The group meets for an hour on the third Tuesday of every month to explore a specific topic in Ridgefield’s history through shared conversation.
Each session is recorded and cataloged in the Historical Society’s archive to preserve these stories for future generations. The program is also streamed live on Facebook and uploaded to the Society’s YouTube channel. Everyone is invited—just bring your curiosity and love of history. Some attend every month, while others join when a topic holds special meaning for them. Longtime Ridgefield residents and newcomers alike are welcome. This free program is a wonderful way to connect with others and discover new insights into the town’s heritage.

Local Event: Ridgefield History Club Explores Stonehenge Inn’s Golden Age

Ridgefield History Club Explores Stonehenge...

The glamour and excitement of Ridgefield’s famed Stonehenge Inn during the 1950s will be the focus of the Ridgefield History...

Ridgefield History Club Explores Stonehenge Inn’s Golden Age

Lauren Larsen

Rich Kirby

New York City Metropolitan Area

Hayleigh Evans

Danbury

Hartford Metropolitan Area

Bethel

Westchester County

Jeff Edwards

Bedford-Katonah

New York

Wilton

Weston-Redding-Easton

Putnam County

Southeast-Brewster

RJ Scofield

New Canaan

Brookfield

Newtown

Yorktown-Somers

Wilton Quaker Meeting

Plan Your Vote – ACLU Voting Rights Work in CT and Across the Country
Speaker: ACLU CT representative Amber Vlangas 
Monday, September 14, 2026 at the HFFC Monthly Featured-Speaker Program
7:00 PM program. Hybrid meeting (in-person and virtual)

On Monday, September 14, 2026 Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County (HFFC) will feature
the Fairfield Country Rep of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, Amber Vlangas, who will discuss the ongoing national attack on voting rights and how CT residents can help. &nbsp;She can also discuss other current issues on ACLU CT’s radar, including privacy, immigrant rights and protections for the right to demonstrate. 

Amber Vlangas is a civil liberties activist who has served as the Fairfield County Engagement Officer with the ACLU CT for nearly five years. After serving in the United States Marine Corps and earning her B.A. in Visual and Public Communication, Amber has spent more than 25 years in nonprofit outreach, organizing, and resource development. She currently serves on the steering committees and leadership teams of several national groups and co-hosts the podcast Amplified Voices.

The ACLU of Connecticut defends, promotes, and expands the civil rights and civil liberties of all people in Connecticut through litigation, community organizing and legislative advocacy, and civic education and engagement. Organized in 1948, it is an inclusive, non-partisan, and statewide organization within the nationwide American Civil Liberties Union network. 

This meeting is free and open to all.&nbsp;&nbsp;Join us in Wilton for the presentation and the social gathering beforehand.&nbsp; (We will supply the address after you register.) Gourmet pizza and refreshments will be served from 6:15-7:00 PM.&nbsp;The presentation will start at 7:00. &nbsp;We will also be recording and broadcasting this meeting virtually via Zoom for anyone who is unable to join us in person; check in is at 6:45.&nbsp;
Register at<a href="https://bit.ly/VotingRightsACLUCT" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">bit.ly/VotingRightsACLUCT </a>to attend in person or to receive a link to participate online.
The Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County, Connecticut (HFFC), espouses reason and compassion, and seeks to promote humanism and free thought in our community. It holds monthly featured speaker programs, film events, book discussions, solstice celebrations, charitable activities, and science roundtables. Learn more at <a href="https://www.hffcct.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">hffcct.org</a>

Local Event: PROTECTING THE VOTE and CIVIL RIGHTS : Meet ACLU featured speaker at HFFC’s September event 

PROTECTING THE VOTE and CIVIL RIGHTS : Meet...

Plan Your Vote – ACLU Voting Rights Work in CT and Across the Country
Speaker: ACLU CT representative Amber Vlangas 
Monday,...

PROTECTING THE VOTE and CIVIL RIGHTS : Meet ACLU featured speaker at HFFC’s September event 

Online Event

From navigating new freedoms to finding purpose and balance, every phase of retirement offers a fresh opportunity to grow and thrive. During this complimentary session we’ll explore the many different stages of retirement, as well as practical methods you can take to create a retirement that feels truly meaningful and fulfilling.
You must RSVP to receive access credentials for this event or seminar.Presented by: Amanda Willey, CFP®, APMA®, Private Wealth Advisor - R. Miller &amp; Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial LLC
Hosted by: R. Miller &amp; Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial LLCTo reserve a spot: call us at <a href="tel:6176073366">617.607.3366 Ext. 250</a> or email us at <a href="mailto:christina.cobas@ampf.com?subject=Reimagining%20Retirement">christina.cobas@ampf.com</a>

Local Event: Complimentary Presentation - Reimagining Retirement

Shelton-Derby

Complimentary Presentation - Reimagining...

From navigating new freedoms to finding purpose and balance, every phase of retirement offers a fresh opportunity to grow and...

Complimentary Presentation - Reimagining Retirement

70 Ridgefield Road Wilton, CT

Come join the fun!&nbsp; With the aid of experienced dancers, guests will learn several basic steps and be dancing to music within 15 minutes of the start of the lesson.&nbsp; No experience necessary.&nbsp; Learn while you dance.&nbsp; Singles and couples welcome.&nbsp; Get some exercise.&nbsp; Make new friends.&nbsp; &nbsp;SMILES&nbsp;GUARANTEED!
For more information, please contact Darby or Deb at (203)&nbsp;665-8455.
Or visit our website at:&nbsp;<a href="https://squarebears.net/other-local-fun-nights" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">squarebears.net/other-local-fun-nights</a>

Local Event: 'Free' Introduction to Modern Square  Dancing

'Free' Introduction to Modern Square  Dancing

Come join the fun!  With the aid of experienced dancers, guests will learn several basic steps and be dancing to music within...

Indian Harbor Yacht Club

Women's Mentoring Network to Host “Celebrating Our Mentors” Gala in Greenwich, CT
Join us for our Annual Fundraiser on September 17, 2026 Brings Together Community Supporters for a celebratory evening with Dinner, Networking, and Live Music on the Waterfront. The evening will bring together community members, mentors, clients and donors to celebrate the women we support and to raise funds to sustain our programs.
Guests will enjoy an evening of dinner, networking, and waterfront views, along with exciting raffle prizes. The event will feature live music from Mesha Steele, and heartfelt remarks from mentors and mentees about the growth, connection, and success they've built together.
“Celebrating Our Mentors is more than a fundraiser. It's a celebration of the relationships that change lives.&nbsp; As women continue to struggle in low-paying jobs, demand for these connections continues to rise, and expanding access to mentorship and career support has never been more important. Together, we can ensure more women have the opportunity to build stable careers and brighter futures for themselves and their families.”&nbsp;- Lana Gifas, Executive Director, Women's Mentoring Network
Event Highlights
Dinner
Mentor/Mentee stories
Networking
Raffle
Waterfront views
Live music with Mesha Steele
Event Details
Thursday, September 17, 2026
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT

Tickets &amp; Sponsorship
<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-our-mentors-a-fundraiser-to-support-womens-mentoring-network-tickets-1980045554555" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Tickets are available now on Eventbrite. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-our-mentors-a-gala-to-support-womens-mentoring-network-tickets-1998387524882" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-our-mentors-a-gala-to-support-womens-mentoring-network-tickets-1998387524882</a>For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lana Gifas at lgifas@wmninc.org.

About Women's Mentoring Network, Inc.
Every day, capable and determined women walk through our doors. They are working hard yet they are struggling to get ahead. At Women's Mentoring Network, we see their potential and, through long-term mentoring, skills workshops, and educational support, we empower women with the skills and confidence needed to compete in today’s tough job market. When a woman gets the support she deserves, everything changes for her, her children, and our entire community. To learn more about Women's Mentoring Network, please visit: <a href="https://www.wmninc.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.wmninc.org</a>.

Local Event: "Celebrating Our Mentors," Women's Mentoring Network Annual Fundraiser

Stamford

"Celebrating Our Mentors," Women's Mentoring...

Women's Mentoring Network to Host “Celebrating Our Mentors” Gala in Greenwich, CT
Join us for our Annual Fundraiser on...

"Celebrating Our Mentors," Women's Mentoring Network Annual Fundraiser

Newbury Place

We need to make room for Holiday Merchandise!&nbsp; Stop by all weekend, starting Friday, September 18th, for our Annual Sidewalk Sale.

Local Event: Sidewalk Sale - September 18th-20th

New Haven County

Southbury

Sidewalk Sale - September 18th-20th

We need to make room for Holiday Merchandise!  Stop by all weekend, starting Friday, September 18th, for our Annual Sidewalk Sale.

Music on the Hill, 9 Brookside Rd, Redding, CT, 06896

Registration is now open for Music on the Hill's after school music programs for kids! 
Children's Chorus is open to all kids in grades 2 through 6 who love to sing! Rehearsals are Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m., starting October 1. In Children’s Chorus, children build a musical foundation through singing. Children will learn vocal technique and breath support, music and rhythm reading, pitch and listening skills, and more. Through being part of the ensemble, children will build confidence, and skills in teamwork and leadership. 
Cultural Drum &amp; Fun is open to children of all ages, including young children with a caregiver. Sessions are Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:00 p.m., starting September 23. Cultural Drum &amp; Fun is an opportunity for youth, family and friends to explore the wonderful world of music through drumming. Authentic instruments from Africa, Brazil and beyond add to the cultural and musical education and enhance the experience! 
For more information and to register, visit: musiconthehillct.org/music-for-kids

Local Event: Music on the Hill - Kids After School Programs Open for Registration!

Music on the Hill - Kids After School Programs...

Registration is now open for Music on the Hill's after school music programs for kids! 
Children's Chorus is open to all kids...

Music on the Hill - Kids After School Programs Open for Registration!

199 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840

Time: 4 pm to 8 pmThe Glass House welcomes architect Elizabeth Diller for an evening of design, conversation, and dining. In conversation with Spencer Bailey, Diller will trace the arc of her practice—from civic landmarks that reshaped New York, including the High Line and The Shed, to the more recent V&amp;A East Storehouse in London, the MIT Metropolitan Warehouse in Cambridge, MA, and Al-Mujadilah Center &amp; Mosque for Women in Doha. The conversation follows a major honor: in 2025, DS+R received the Golden Lion for Best Participation at the Venice Biennale of Architecture for Canal Café.&nbsp;Tickets:&nbsp;<a href="https://theglasshouse.org/whats-on/an-evening-with-liz-diller/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://theglasshouse.org/whats-on/an-evening-with-liz-diller/</a>

Local Event: An Evening with Liz Diller

Bridgeport

An Evening with Liz Diller

Time: 4 pm to 8 pmThe Glass House welcomes architect Elizabeth Diller for an evening of design, conversation, and dining. In...

King School

<h2>Join us for our Open House on Sunday, October 4&nbsp;from&nbsp;1:00-3:00 p.m.</h2>
Discover the power of a King education firsthand. Learn about our engaging PreK-12 inquiry-based approach to education and immerse yourself in our vibrant campus community.&nbsp;We hope you'll join us!
The schedule and details for the day are below. Students of all ages are welcome.&nbsp;We can't wait to meet your family!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.kingschoolct.org/admission/visit/open-house" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Register Today</a>

Local Event: Open House - PreK-12

Open House - PreK-12

Join us for our Open House on Sunday, October 4 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Discover the power of a King education firsthand. Learn...

La-Z-Boy recliner in excellent condition light beige goes with any decor very comfortable goes up and down and all around lol. Cost 500.00. Call 860-227-7109

Lazy boy recliner

La-Z-Boy recliner in excellent condition light beige goes with any decor very comfortable goes up and down and all around lol. Cost 500.00. Call...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Posting Activity

Ridgefield History Club: The History of Olmstead Lane

SEP

15

10:00 AM

Ridgefield Historical Society, 4 Sunset Ln, Ridgefield, CT

Witch Trials, Blue Laws, and the Tooth Fairy: The Legacy of Colonial Connecticut

SEP

20

10:00 AM

Ridgefield Historical Society, 4 Sunset Ln, Ridgefield, CT

Schoolhouse Sunday Celebrates Northrop

SEP

27

1:00 PM

Ridgefield, CT

Main Street Walking Tour with Jack Sanders

OCT

10

10:00 AM

Jesse Lee Church, 207 Main St, Ridgefield, CT

Battle of Ridgefield Bus Tour

OCT

18

10:00 AM

4 Sunset Ln, Ridgefield, CT

Ridgefield History Club Explores Stonehenge Inn’s Golden Age

NOV

17

10:00 AM

Ridgefield Historical Society, 4 Sunset Ln, Ridgefield, CT