Keeler Tavern facts for kids
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Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Keeler Tavern Museum seen from Main Street
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 152 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2.2 acres (0.89 ha) |
| Built | c. 1713 |
| Architect | Benjamin Hoyt et al; Cass Gilbert |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Georgian |
| Website | keelertavernmuseum.org |
| Part of | Ridgefield Center Historic District (ID84000817) |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004345 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 29, 1982 |
| Designated CP | September 7, 1984 |
The Keeler Tavern is a historic building in Ridgefield, Connecticut. It was built a long time ago, in the 1700s. This special place has been many things over the years. It was once a home, a busy inn, and even a summer house for a famous architect.
Today, it is known as the Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (KTM&HC). You can visit it to learn about its past. The building is famous for its role in the Battle of Ridgefield during the American Revolutionary War. It is also part of the Ridgefield Center Historic District.
Contents
History of the Keeler Tavern
The land where Ridgefield is located was once home to Native American groups. These included the Ramapough and Munsee Lenape people.
Early Days: 1700s
In 1708, families from Norwalk bought land from the Ramapough people. This land became the town of Ridgefield. The main road had "lotts" of land, each about 7.5 acres. Benjamin Hoyt owned Lott 2. He built a small, one-room house there around 1713. By the 1750s, it had grown into a two-and-a-half-story farmhouse.
In 1769, Timothy Keeler bought the house. He and his wife, Esther, turned it into Keeler's Inn. It was a tavern with rooms for travelers. The inn was on a busy mail route between Hartford and New York City. On April 27, 1777, a big event happened. British soldiers attacked during the Battle of Ridgefield. The tavern was hit by cannonballs. One cannonball is still stuck in the building's corner today. This battle was an important victory for the American army.
Changes in the 1800s
In 1815, Timothy's son, William Keeler, took over the inn. He ran it with his sister, Anna. It was called "W. Keeler's Hotel." After William passed away in 1827, Anna became the owner. Anna married Abijah Resseguie. They changed the name to the Resseguie Hotel. They owned it until the 1900s.
Anna and Abijah had a daughter named Anna Marie. She was born in 1830. After her parents passed, Anna Marie ran the hotel. She had help from Phillis DuBois, a Black woman. Phillis had lived with the Resseguie family since she was a child. She helped run the business for many years.
The 1900s and Beyond
In 1907, a famous architect named Cass Gilbert bought the property. He made it his family's summer home. Gilbert added a new section to the tavern building. He also designed beautiful gardens and a Carriage Barn. After Gilbert passed away, his wife, Julia, built a Memorial Library in 1937. This building is now the Visitor Center.
In 1966, people in the community wanted to save the historic site. They started the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society, Inc. They bought the property. Since then, it has been a museum. It has been open to visitors for many years.
Visiting the Keeler Tavern Museum
The Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (KTM&HC) offers many activities. You can join public programs both at the museum and online. They have special events throughout the year. The museum also offers educational programs for school groups. Visitors of all ages can learn about history here. The KTM&HC also works with other local arts and culture groups.
The museum is located at 152 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877, USA. It is across from a large fountain. This fountain was also designed by Cass Gilbert.
See also
