Historic Restoration: A Museum in the Streets
As we near the celebration of the anniversary of our country’s independence, it seems fitting that we should write about a setting where an important Revolutionary War battle took place. This small village is but one of many in America that demonstrates the mettle of our forefathers. Ridgefield, Connecticut, is situated in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. It was first settled by English colonists from Norwalk and Milford in 1708 when a group of settlers purchased land from Chief Katonah of the Ramapoo tribe, part of the Mohegan group of the Algonquian. The most notable 18th century event was the Battle of Ridgefield on April 27, 1777. This American Revolutionary War conflict involved a small colonial militia force led by General David Wooster and Benedict Arnold. There are many landmarks from the Revolutionary War in the town, with most along Main Street. In the late 19th century, spurred by the new railroad connection to this rolling village, Ridgefield began to be discovered by wealthy New York City residents, who assembled large estates to build elegant summer ‘escapes’ throughout the higher sections of town. A several block stretch along Main Street, named The Museum in the Streets, is a stroll through the built environment of East Coast America of the 1700s and 1800s where there are many striking examples of Dutch Colonial, Queen Anne and Folk Victorian, and Greek Revival architecture. The cool summers under the forested canopy nurture colorful landscapes of rhododendrons, lilies, hydrangeas, roses, astelby, and lush ferns. The homes we find on Main are built exclusively of wood construction with wood or shingle siding. The small amounts of masonry are in the foundations of the structures. The stones, assembled and strewn about the landscape and rolling hills are "thrown" walls that ramble along property lines, haphazardly built by farmers clearing their pastures. "The Walls" are a signature of this lush landscape...we will detail their stories in the next blog.
About Steve Chambers
Steve Chambers AIA, Residential Architects, Dallas TX. Steve is a Residential Architect and a licensed interior designer. He achieves unique styles by enquiring into what his clients think would be their ideal home and building a home that meets their stylistic aspirations while centering the design of their home around their daily habits.
Visit his portfolio or contact Public Relations Director, Stephanie Chambers.
- Articles In This Category
- More from this Category
- Related Articles
- Related Articles
- Latest Articles
- Latest Articles
- Most Read Articles
- Most Read Articles
