Keeler Tavern Preservation Society

In 1965, a group of Ridgefield residents came together out of a common interest to preserve the history of the Keeler Tavern, a local and important landmark located in the heart of town. Concerned about protecting its original structure, artifacts and historical importance to the community, they formed the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society, Inc. By 1966, they raised enough money to purchase the property and convert it into the Keeler Tavern Museum, which was opened to the public in July of that year.

Since then, Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center has provided educational and cultural programs that connect past and present, with a focus on our former site residents’ experiences in the colonial era through early 20th century. We are fortunate to have significant archives of many of families who owned the site – including the Keelers, Resseguies, and Gilberts – as well as information about individuals who worked at the site and/or lived nearby.

Keeler Tavern Museum was designated a historical landmark in 1982. The mission of the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society, Inc. is to preserve and interpret our site’s historic buildings, robust collections, and diverse stories. The museum is governed by a board of directors, staffed by a small but mighty group of dedicated individuals, and supported by numerous volunteers who contribute their time and expertise.