Ridgefield Historical Society

Ridgefield Historical Society Ridgefield Historical Society preserves & fosters knowledge about the remarkable history of Ridgefield, CT.
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The Ridgefield Historical Society meets our mission by the growth and sharing of our expansive collections; and through a wide range of programs and events which highlight our heritage and keep it alive and well. As of March 2022, we are open to visitors on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. We look forward to expanding these hours as the days lengthen, the temperatures rise, and the shadow of the pandemic continues to lift.

Discover the fascinating history of Olmstead Lane with Town Historian Jack Sanders! The Ridgefield Historical Society is...
09/01/2026

Discover the fascinating history of Olmstead Lane with Town Historian Jack Sanders!

The Ridgefield Historical Society is supporting the Ridgefield Historic District Commission with historical documents and research as it works to create a new Olmstead Lane historic district.  

Join the Ridgefield History Club on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. at the Scott House. This event is free, but space is limited. Reserve your spot at the ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org or through the link in our bio now!

We love to meet neighbors of the West Lane District/Peter Parley Schoolhouse when they visit on open house Sundays (the ...
08/29/2026

We love to meet neighbors of the West Lane District/Peter Parley Schoolhouse when they visit on open house Sundays (the next is this Sunday, Aug. 30, 1-4 p.m.).

The school is a special place for those living in the south end of town, but it's really a museum for all who want to know more about early education in Ridgefield.

We can tell you where all the school districts were (15 in 1850) and how a number of the old schools have been given new lives. You can learn who Peter Parley really was and find out about some of the school's other graduates.

The Ridgefield Historical Society maintains the school and volunteers Jack and Sally Sanders, Nancy Rowe and Georgia Loomis will be on hand to greet and talk with guests. Cookies and lemonade to celebrate the beginning of the Ridgefield school year!

For more information, visit ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org. The West Lane/Peter Parley Schoolhouse is at the intersection of West Lane, South Salem Road and Silver Spring Road.

From growing up in Germany to preserving Ridgefield’s character and celebrating its modernist architecture, board member...
08/18/2026

From growing up in Germany to preserving Ridgefield’s character and celebrating its modernist architecture, board member Carsten Hills’ lifelong curiosity continues to shape his work with the Ridgefield Historical Society.

Read an introduction to one of the Historical Society’s board members at:
https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/on-board-with-carsten-hils/ or through the link in our bio now.

As we get closer to the first day of school, here’s a 1974 throwback of Ridgebury Elementary students visiting the Peter...
08/14/2026

As we get closer to the first day of school, here’s a 1974 throwback of Ridgebury Elementary students visiting the Peter Parley Schoolhouse, also known as the West Lane Schoolhouse or informally as the “Little Red Schoolhouse.”

Today the Ridgefield Historical Society operates the schoolhouse as a museum welcoming guests at no charge on the last Sunday of each month from 1:00-4:00 p.m. from May through October.

Learn more at ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org

Breaking News! 🗞️The Ridgefield Historical Society has secured a grant from CT Humanities to further the production of t...
08/12/2026

Breaking News! 🗞️

The Ridgefield Historical Society has secured a grant from CT Humanities to further the production of the Battle of Ridgefield documentary.

Read about the grant at Ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org where you can also donate to help us bring this film to life!

On Sunday, July 26, the West Lane/Peter Parley Schoolhouse greeted a guest who’d gone to a two-room school in Ireland, a...
07/31/2026

On Sunday, July 26, the West Lane/Peter Parley Schoolhouse greeted a guest who’d gone to a two-room school in Ireland, as well as some young Ridgefielders who might have attended West Lane back in its day. Theoretical prize for the transportation of the day went to a beautiful green Morgan, whose owner promised a drive-by in September. Next open house is Sunday, Aug. 30, 1-4 p.m.

Address

4 Sunset Lane
Ridgefield, CT
06877

Opening Hours

Tuesday 1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm
Thursday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+12034385821

Website

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