Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tours

On Saturday, April 26, 2025 the Ridgefield Historical Society will host one hour long walking tours at 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, and 12:00pm to commemorate the 247th Anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield, which took place on April 27, 1777. This was the only inland engagement of the Revolutionary War fought in Connecticut and we will commemorate the courage of a vastly outnumbered Patriot force led by Generals David Wooster, Benedict Arnold, and Gold Selleck Silliman, who confronted a force of 2,000 British troops that had burned Danbury.

The Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tour is a “living history” event produced by the Ridgefield Historical Society under the direction of local luminary Dr. Darla Shaw.

Revolutionary War characters will be brought to life by actors in period costumes, including Benedict Arnold, General Tryon, and Anna Stebbins, among others, who will be stationed at stops along the east side of Main Street, beginning at the Battle of Ridgefield sign at Casagmo Condominium Association, and ending at the British cannonball lodged in Keeler Tavern. The tour is around one mile long, an hour in length, and each stop will feature a short, entertaining, and informative performance.

Tours will take place rain or shine and will be capped at 20 people per group. Park at the nearest public lot, walk to the meeting location on Main Street at the entrance of Casagmo Condominium Association, and check in no later than 10 minutes before your tour departure time as tours will depart promptly. If you’re late or miss your tour, we unfortunately won’t be able to add you to another tour.

Tickets are limited, nonrefundable, and are expected to sell out: $15 each for Ridgefield Historical Society members (members should enter promo code 5OFF at checkout), $20 each for non-members. If you're not a member of the Historical Society, we welcome you to join by clicking . For more information, email [email protected] or call 203-438-5821.

Get a limited edition Battle of Ridgefield t-shirt by the Ridgefield Historical Society! See an image of the shirt below. Mark this anniversary with our official commemorative tee. Secure yours today and wear a piece of history on the tour:

Also, on Thur. April 24, 6:30-7:30pm, Dr. David Naumec, an archaeologist and historian with Heritage Consultants, will give the illustrated presentation about the Ridgefield Historical Society's Battle of Ridgefield Archaeology Project, at St. Stephen’s Church North Hall, 353 Main Street, in Ridgefield:

Please note: Keeler Tavern is also offering complimentary ‘War at Home’ tours of their museum on Saturday, April 27. Participants of the 10:30am Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tour are welcome to join the 11:30am ‘War at Home’ tour inside Keeler Tavern. Similarly, attendees of the 12:00 pm Battle of Ridgefield Walking Tour can join the 1:00 pm ‘War at Home’ tour. Tickets are limited and advance registration for the ‘War at Home’ tour is required though Keeler Tavern at the following link: https://keelertavernmuseum.org/events/489/battle-of-ridgefield-anniversary/

Hold Harmless Statement:

By registering for and participating in this event hosted by the Ridgefield Historical Society, you acknowledge and agree to hold harmless and indemnify the Ridgefield Historical Society, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and agents, from any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action, including but not limited to personal injury, property damage, or any other liability arising out of or related to your participation in the event. You further understand and acknowledge that the Ridgefield Historical Society assumes no responsibility for accidents, injuries, or loss of personal property during the event. Your participation in the event is entirely at your own risk, and by participating, you expressly assume all risks associated with the event and release the Ridgefield Historical Society from any liability to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Photography Release:

By registering for and participating in this event hosted by the Ridgefield Historical Society, you grant permission to the Ridgefield Historical Society to use photographs and/or video of you taken at this event in publications, news releases, online, and in other communications related to the mission of the Ridgefield Historical Society.

Pete Nichols will portray State Archaeologist Emeritus Nicholas Bellantoni, discussing the discovery of soldiers’ remains near Main Street in 2019, during the Battle of Ridgefield walking tours on Saturday, April 27.

Host or Publisher Ridgefield Historical Society