The Keeler Tavern, it’s a place everyone in Ridgefield knows well. Right off of Main Street, the Keeler Tavern offers a look back into history to the 1700’s. It is now a museum that is open to the public Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-4, to come look and understand how this building operated and survived the war. It is perhaps one of the oldest buildings in Ridgefield.

This buildings historic history started when Timothy Keeler turned his grandfather’s house into a tavern from a farmhouse in 1772. Soon, it became a regular stop for travelers traveling the coach route between New York and Boston. It became well known very quickly. During the Revolution, the Keeler Tavern became a place for the supporters of the Revolution, where people would sit and discuss everything and anything. This warm, friendly place attracted many people. During the Battle of Ridgefield in 1777, British troops came down Main Street and fried on the Tavern a few times. The British troops had heard that musket balls were being made in the basement, which was true. That day, a small cannonball was fired and is still embedded in one of the corner posts of the Keeler Tavern!

Today, there have been many restorations of the Tavern to preserve the history of it. Visitors can go on a tour through the house and view the rooms and furniture. There are many people who volunteer at the Tavern, some give the tours, and others help work the gift shop, which sells Ridgefield blankets, cups, postcards, pictures of the Battle of Ridgefield and much much more. Everyone dresses in clothing according to the time period to help enrich the environment. Many school classes have taken tours of the Tavern while learning about the 1700’s. The Keeler Tavern has definitely been a wonderful thing for everyone in Ridgefield, and hopefully will continue to be for years to come.