Keeler In The Community
Join us on July 4th to Celebrate Community & Independence!
June 5, 2025
Ridgefield, Conn.— As we mark the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, join us this July 4th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for our July 4th Celebration, a family day and BBQ at Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center!
The event will kick off to the iconic tunes of a Fife and Drum duo marching down Main Street from downtown to Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center (KTM&HC). Throughout the day, visitors will enjoy a wide range of family-friendly activities, including museum tours; costumed reenactors; demonstrations of historic crafts, such as spinning and shoemaking; kids games, crafts and a scavenger hunt; live music and dance on the tented terrace; a dunk tank to dunk King George; a vintage firetruck; an art exhibit in the barn curated by the Ridgefield Guild of Artists; free watermelon for everyone; assorted merchandise; and much more. Grilled BBQ menu options and other refreshments will be for sale, with vegetarian options available.
The day will culminate with the reading of the Declaration of Independence by community members followed by a rendition of America the Beautiful and a reading of Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”.
This year’s festivities at KTM&HC proudly launch Ridgefield Commemorates America at 250 (RCA250), a town-wide, year-long initiative observing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. At the July 4th event, be sure to visit the RCA250 booth and others to learn more about the many exciting programs and events offered throughout the year by participating town organizations.
“Our July 4th community event has been a longstanding tradition at KTM&HC,” said KTM&HC Executive Director Hildegard Grob, “and this year is particularly exciting as we grow the event to commemorate America250. We’re proud to be the host organization for RCA250’s kickoff event, and we’re looking forward to a year full of important programming at KTM&HC and throughout the town that speaks to the importance of the Declaration of Independence as a guiding document of our nation.”
On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, KTM&HC is committed to helping audiences more deeply understand our nation’s history and the Declaration itself – its words, its historical context, and its legacies – through a combination of programs and events that leverage our site-specific history, engage with complexity, and connect to larger national themes. America250 is an opportunity for us to think carefully about our country and our collective identity: to celebrate strengths, grapple with weaknesses, and imagine possibilities for our future. KTM&HC is taking the lead in engaging our audiences locally and nationally, through a robust schedule of programs and community collaborations.
The Ridgefield Commemorates America at 250 Committee (RCA250) is a group of ten residents who were appointed by Ridgefield’s Board of Selectpersons. As an affiliate of the America 250 Connecticut Commission, RCA250 is thrilled to present a series of town-wide initiatives running from July 4, 2025, to July 4, 2026. This year-long commemoration will feature historical exhibitions, community gatherings, and educational programs that highlight our shared history and inspire a collective future.
Admission to the July 4th Celebration and America250 Kickoff is free for all. No onsite parking. The event will happen rain or shine (check website for updates). Donation jars to benefit KTM&HC’s ongoing site preservation and general operations. All proceeds from the BBQ to benefit the RCA250 town committee.
For more information and a schedule of upcoming events, visit keelertavernmuseum.org and ridgefieldct250.org.