Category: Connecticut Travel

Ghosts of Ridgefield

Get ready for a spooktacular time at the Keeler Tavern’s guided walk on Friday, October 23 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, October 24 at 5 pm with Timothy Keeler!
On this guided walk of Timothy Keeler’s Haunt, visitors will meet some of the ghosts of Ridgefield’s past from across three centuries going back to its founding days in early 1700.

These ghosts came from all walks of life, some wealthy and influential, others from the fringes of society. But all left their mark on our town’s history and their stories live on forever. This is the time to hear their voices and meet them — in the flesh!

Dress warmly and wear appropriate shoes; we have uneven walkways. Your guide will carry a flashlight to lead the way. Parking is at the First Congregational Church, 103 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877, across the street from our campus. Please exercise caution when crossing the street.

Check-in 5 minutes before the start of your tour at the Keeler Tavern Visitor Center, 152 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877. The tour will last about 75 minutes. Restroom facilities are available only at the start of the tour.

Tours will start promptly. We will not be able to accommodate late arrivals.
Appropriate for families with children ages 7+.We will run this program unless torrential rainstorms ensue. The tickets are $10 and can be purchased by clicking here.

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Two Outdoor Events @ Westport Historical Society

If you are a fan of spooktacular tales don’t miss the outdoor event at the Westport Historical Society on October 21 at 4 pm. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow will be resurrected for a special reading of this frightful tale about the headless horseman. Come and hear his famous story while socially distanced on the museum’s lawn.

Space is limited and masks at this event are required. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. The tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased by clicking here.

The annual lantern tour is scheduled for October 31 from 2 pm to 4 pm. Participants will creep through the cemetery virtually with their own lantern and pick up their goodie bag with tricks and treats. Tickets begin at $30, reservations are required, to register, click here.

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Patriot Grave Marking and Open House @ Derby Historical Society

On Saturday, October 17 the Derby Historical Society is commemorating a Revolutionary War Grave Marking Ceremony at the Old Colonial Burying Grounds located across from Academy Hill at Derby Ave. (Rte. 115) in Derby Connecticut at 10 a.m. The General David Humphreys Branch No.1 SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) will commemorate 54 Patriots who are buried at our Nation’s oldest public burying ground in the country.

The Sons of the American Revolution Connecticut (SAR) joined the SAR in 1891 with General David Humphreys Branch being the first to join in the country. In honor of this distinction and in memory of these brave patriots, Steven Chapman, Derby Historical Society Board Member, and SAR member and Ethan Stewart, SAR member has spent many long hours of research identifying these 54 brave patriots. This is a historic event in Connecticut that should not be missed as the names of these patriots from so long ago are being recognized once again and memorialized on a bronze plaque.

The Derby Historical Society invites the public to join us in honoring these individuals with a plaque dedication ceremony. There will be a short reception following this commemoration in the back yard of the General David Humphreys House, located at 37 Elm Street in Ansonia

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Live Snake Demonstration @ Institute for American Indian Studies

As a grand finale to the Institute for American Indian Studies temporary exhibition “Skug” that is about snakes in the Eastern Woodlands, they are hosting two live snake presentations on Saturday, October 24 at the Institute located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington. In order to provide safe and interactive sessions for participants in both sessions, there will be two presentations, one at 1 p.m. and a second at 2:30 p.m.

There are many reasons why people fear snakes. It may be because of their predatory nature or the way they slither underfoot or, how they are portrayed in myths and folktales. The live snake demonstration hosted by the Institute hopes to dispel the myths associated with these often-misunderstood reptiles. During this fascinating demonstration, staff from Riverside Reptile Educational Center will bring participants up close to a variety of snakes from a giant python that weighs almost 100 pounds to a Copperhead, one of two venomous snakes found in Connecticut.

The best way to coexist with snakes is to learn about them, which is one of the main points of this live demonstration. This interactive and engaging animal encounter teaches people about the biology of snakes, their habitats, and the conservation efforts that are or should be in place to protect them. Masks are required inside the museum and outdoors on the grounds when you are within six feet of other visitors, staff, or presenters.

The cost to participate in this live demonstration is $5 for members of the Institute, $20 for non-member adults, and $15 non-member children. Reservations are required for this event by calling the Institute at 860-868-0518 or emailing general@iaismuseum.org. This is a popular event so make your reservations today.

About the Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT

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All Hollow’s Eve @ the Glebe House in Woodbury October 24

As the leaves are changing color and the hint of the first frost is in the air get ready to celebrate autumn at the All Hollows Event event hosted by the Glebe House located on Hollow Road in Woodbury on Saturday, October 24. This celebration takes place during the witching hours of 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tours go out every hour. To reserve your time, click here.

Ghosts, goblins, and assorted scary creatures will be on hand along Hollow Road, following a path lit by over 300 luminaries, some of Woodbury’s earliest citizens will come back from the dead to lead mystery tours of the nearby Ancient Burying Grounds.
You will walk amongst the dead in burying grounds over 350 years old and hear stories of those mortal remains that lie beneath your feet as their spirits rise for the occasion and are dying to share their true-yet often-dark tales. New surprises will await visitors as the cemetery comes to life in a flurry of spectral activity. The Museum will be following all current State & CDC guidelines for the safety of our staff, volunteers, and visitors. **Due to current COVID-19 safety guidelines there will not be a haunted museum or any indoor activities. Masks and social distancing rules will be observed.

Tickets will be limited to maintain safety standards. Tours will be available by timed ticket entry beginning at 5:30 pm and will leave the grounds of the Museum every fifteen minutes, ending at 9:00 pm. To ensure your participation, pre-purchased tickets are strongly suggested. Once, a tour-slot is full, walk-ins will not be added. Tickets are $10 per adult, children 5-12 years old $5, and children under 5 years of age are free. Rain Date: Sunday, October 25th. Parking for the evening will be in Hollow Park, whose entrance is next to the Glebe House.

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Scarecrows in the Meadow @ Litchfield Historical Society

The Litchfield Historical Society has announced an exciting new family fun event, Scarecrows in the Meadows! This is a socially distanced event for families that is perfect for celebrating the end of the harvest season!

Families, businesses, and organizations are invited to participate and show their Litchfield Hills spirit by decorating a scarecrow to display in the Tapping Reeve Meadow on Litchfield. Participants are encouraged to let their creativity shine! Framing materials will be provided.

From October 17th-October 31st, visitors are invited to walk through the display of scarecrows and vote on their favorite while enjoying self-guided fall crafts and games. The scarecrows will be on display in Tapping Reeve Meadow, which is open dawn to dusk and free to all.

If you are interested in participating, please click here. Registration is open until October 9. PICK UP AND DROP OFF: Framing materials will be available for pick up October 5th-16th between 9:00-12:00 at the Litchfield History Museum (7 South St.) The Historical Society will provide the frame and contributors will provide the decorations and stuffing. DROP-OFF: Completed scarecrows can be dropped off at the Litchfield History Museum between 9:00-12:00 the week before the event and must be delivered by 10:00 am on Saturday, October 17th at the latest. Scarecrows will be taken down by the Litchfield Historical Society on Sunday,
November 1st and participants can pick them up from 2:00-4:00 or leave them for disposal.

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