Keeler Tavern Museum News & Press

Ridgefield’s Oldie is Golden

February 1, 2016

By Charlie Pankenier

1964 exhibited the Aldrich. 1965 sounded the first notes of what became the Ridgefield Symphony. And in yet another example of Ridgefield’s mid-sixties mini-Renaissance, in 1966 a group of public-spirited citizens organized to acquire, in scholar-author Silvio Bedini’s words, the “most important historical building” in town. In an early meeting, they debated whether to call themselves the Cannonball House Committee, or perhaps something capturing a more familiar name for the property. And so Keeler Tavern Preservation Society the group became.

Co-chairs of the committee were Mrs. John Cleveland and Mrs. Richard Jackson. With 50 years’ hindsight, Mrs. Cleveland’s words seem almost prescient as the group committed to raise funds to buy the tavern for $85,000: “The…society is as interested in Ridgefield’s future as it is in its past. Rather than simply embalming a building…we hope to create a more interesting environment… [with] uses including education.”

Other members of the society’s original executive committee have names that resonate still: 20th century leading citizen Francis Martin, who became committee president; Mrs. Daniel McKeon; Mrs. Paul Rosa; Arthur McKenna; and Vernon Welsh, owner of the tavern property.

As we mark our 50th anniversary throughout 2016, we will not only be celebrating our past, but honoring what The Ridgefield Press of 50 years ago called their “act of faith” —the vision that has become today’s Keeler Tavern Museum.

A version of this Keeler Notes appeared in The Ridgefield Press January 2016.