Ridgefield Historical Society

### Context Profile for Ridgefield Historical Society

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - The Ridgefield Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Their mission focuses on educating the community about local history through various programs, events, and resources. They aim to foster an appreciation for Ridgefield's heritage and encourage community engagement with historical narratives.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - The organization conducts a variety of activities including:
     - **Educational Talks and Walks**: Such as the "Here Lyes Ye Body: A Talk and Walk" event, which combines storytelling and historical exploration of local cemeteries.
     - **Community Programs**: Regular events that engage the community in local history, often featuring local historians and authors.
     - **Fundraising Campaigns**: Events that not only serve educational purposes but also raise funds to support the society's initiatives.
     - **Membership Programs**: Offering benefits to members, including discounted event tickets.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of the Ridgefield Historical Society is **friendly**, **informative**, and **engaging**. Their communications are designed to be accessible and inviting, encouraging participation from the community. The language used is often descriptive and evocative, aiming to inspire curiosity about local history.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The organization does not appear to use emojis in their communications. Their content maintains a more traditional and professional appearance, focusing on clear and informative language.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Specific founding details were not found on the website, but the organization has been active in promoting local history for several years.
   - **Scale**: The organization has a total of 9 forms and has conducted 7 email campaigns, indicating an active engagement with their audience.
   - **Impact Metrics**: Specific impact metrics were not detailed on the website, but the success of events like "Here Lyes Ye Body" suggests a strong community interest and participation.
   - **Volunteer Info**: There is an indication of volunteer involvement, particularly in historical research and event organization, but specific details were not provided on the website.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use a friendly and engaging tone that invites community participation. Avoid overly formal language; instead, aim for a conversational style that is accessible to a broad audience.
   - **Content Structure**: Organize information clearly, using headings and bullet points where appropriate to enhance readability.
   - **Call to Action**: Encourage participation in events and membership sign-ups, emphasizing the benefits of community engagement with local history.
   - **Imagery**: Use evocative and relevant images when possible to complement the historical narratives being shared.

This context profile provides a comprehensive overview of the Ridgefield Historical Society, guiding future content creation to align with their mission, values, and communication style.

LXCL:UPDATE 10/8/2025:All spaces for the cemetery walk on Sun. Nov. 16 are sold out. Tickets are still available for the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15. If you purchase a ticket now as of 10/8/2025 you will only be able to attend the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15 and you will not be able to attend the walk in the cemetery. Discounted admission for members of the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House to a special talk, Here Lyes Ye Body. Acclaimed broadcaster and poet Ira Joe Fisher will interview local historian and author Jack Sanders about his fascinating book, Here Lyes Ye Body. The talk will take place on Sat. Nov. 15, 10am-11:30am at Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street, Ridgefield. ​ Tickets are limited and nonrefundable. Hold Harmless Statement: By registering for and participating in this event hosted by the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House, you acknowledge and agree to hold harmless and indemnify the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House, 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 and Lounsbury House 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 and Lounsbury House 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 and Lounsbury House you grant permission to the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House 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 and Lounsbury House.

Ticket for Members to the Talk Only

LXCL:UPDATE 10/8/2025:All spaces for the cemetery walk on Sun. Nov. 16 are sold out. Tickets are still available for the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15. If you purchase a ticket now as of 10/8/2025 you will only be able to attend the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15 and you will not be able to attend the walk in the cemetery. Regular admission for those who are not yet members of the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House to a special talk, Here Lyes Ye Body. Acclaimed broadcaster and poet Ira Joe Fisher will interview local historian and author Jack Sanders about his fascinating book, Here Lyes Ye Body. The talk will take place on Sat. Nov. 15, 10am-11:30am at Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street, Ridgefield. Tickets are limited and nonrefundable. Hold Harmless Statement: By registering for and participating in this event hosted by the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House, you acknowledge and agree to hold harmless and indemnify the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House, 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 and Lounsbury House 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 and Lounsbury House 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 and Lounsbury House you grant permission to the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House 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 and Lounsbury House.

Ticket for Nonmembers to the Talk Only

<p fr-original-style='box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.75em !important; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' id="isPasted" style='box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-block: 0px 1.5em;'>UPDATE 10/8/2025:<p fr-original-style='box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.75em !important; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-block: 0px 1.5em;'>Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must postpone the Here Lyes Ye Body Talk and Walk originally scheduled for Sunday, October 12, and Monday, October 13.<p fr-original-style='box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.75em !important; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-block: 0px 1.5em;'>The rescheduled dates are:<p fr-original-style='box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.75em !important; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-block: 0px 1.5em;'>Talk at Lounsbury House: Sat. Nov. 15, 10am-11:30am<p fr-original-style='box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.75em !important; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-block: 0px 1.5em;'>Walk at Mapleshade Cemetery: Sun. Nov. 16, 10am-12pm<p fr-original-style='box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.75em !important; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-block: 0px 1.5em;'>All spaces for the cemetery walk on Sun. Nov. 16 are sold out. Tickets are still available for just the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15. If you purchase a ticket now as of 10/8/2025 you will only be able to attend the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15 and you will not be able to attend the walk in the cemetery.<p fr-original-style='box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.75em !important; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: "EB Garamond", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-block: 0px 1.5em;'> A special two-part talk &amp; walk program, presented by the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House, will introduce some fascinating characters and families, all now permanent residents of Ridgefield.&nbsp; On Saturday, November 15, 10-11:30 a.m. at Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street, step into the past for a spellbinding afternoon of history, storytelling, and discovery as acclaimed broadcaster and poet Ira Joe Fisher interviews local historian and author Jack Sanders about his fascinating book, Here Lyes Ye Body. Sanders will share insights on our historic cemeteries and forgotten tales of generations past. With Fisher&rsquo;s thoughtful questions and Sanders&rsquo; deep knowledge and wit, the discussion will uncover the rich narratives carved into old gravestones, revealing stories of the people that came before us. Their conversation will be followed by an opportunity for audience questions.&nbsp; Jack Sanders, the former editor of the Ridgefield Press for 45 years and author of over 10 books on Ridgefield&rsquo;s history, spent many years visiting town cemeteries, both as a person devoted to the history of Ridgefield and as a volunteer for <a fr-original-style="" href="http://findagrave.com" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">FindAGrave.com</a>, a 30-year-old community effort that now has more than 250 million entries of individual memorials. Inspired by the wealth of material written in stone, Sanders followed up with further research, which led to his book Here Lyes Ye Body, published in 2022.&nbsp; &nbsp;Copies of Here Lyes Ye Body will be available for purchase from our friends at <a fr-original-style="" href="https://booksonthecommon.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Books on the Common</a> located at 404 Main St. in advance of the program and at the door, and attendees will have the opportunity to have them signed by Jack Sanders after the event.&nbsp; A discussion of cemeteries calls for a field trip, and Sanders will lead a walk&nbsp;(The Walk is now SOLD OUT as of 10/8/2025) through the six cemeteries that make up the cemetery (bounded by North Salem Road, Mapleshade Road and North Street in Ridgefield) on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. He&rsquo;ll point out notable graves and tell the stories of their &ldquo;owners.&rdquo; Participants should expect a mile of walking over uneven lawn. Please carpool and park at Mapleshade Cemetery (entrance at North Street/Mapleshade Road).&nbsp;Tickets are limited, non-refundable, and expected to sell out quickly.&nbsp; UPDATE 10/8/2025:All spaces for the cemetery walk on Sun. Nov. 16 are sold out. Tickets are still available for the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15. If you purchase a ticket now as of 10/8/2025 you will only be able to attend the talk at Lounsbury House and will not be able to attend the walk in the cemetery. Tickets for the Saturday Talk are $15 for members of Lounsbury House or the Ridgefield Historical Society, $20 for those who are not yet members.&nbsp;&nbsp; For more information, call 203-438-5821 or email <a fr-original-style="" href="mailto:info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org</a> Thank you to <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.dcolabellafineart.com/" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">D. Colabella Art Gallery</a>, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://booksonthecommon.com/" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Books on the Common</a> and <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/ridgefield.ct/" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Local-Insta</a> for their sponsorship support!<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1757055473/wysiwyg/ewegxpcdzi3ap64lvzpu.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for purchasing tickets to the talk Here Lyes Ye Body. The talk is on Sat. Nov. 15, 10-11:30 a.m. at Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street, Ridgefield.&nbsp; The walk on Sun., Nov. 16 is SOLD OUT and you will not be able to attend the walk. No printed ticket is necessary; we&rsquo;ll check you in by name at the door. Thank you to D. Colabella Art Gallery, Books on the Common and Local-Insta for their sponsorship support! The Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House are proud to present this special program. To learn more, get involved, and support the work of our organizations to preserve and share Ridgefield&#39;s remarkable history go to:<a fr-original-style="" href="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/</a><a fr-original-style="" href="https://lounsburyhouse.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://lounsburyhouse.org/</a> Warm regards,Stephen BartkusExecutive DirectorRidgefield Historical Society&nbsp; Suzanne BrennanExecutive DirectorLounsbury House

<p style="box-sizing:border-box;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;margin:0px;line-height:1.5;margin-block:0px 1.5em;max-width:100%">UPDATE 10/8/2025:<p style="box-sizing:border-box;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;margin:0px;line-height:1.5;margin-block:0px 1.5em;max-width:100%">Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must postpone the Here Lyes Ye Body Talk and Walk originally scheduled for Sunday, October 12, and Monday, October 13.<p style="box-sizing:border-box;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;margin:0px;line-height:1.5;margin-block:0px 1.5em;max-width:100%">The rescheduled dates are:<p style="box-sizing:border-box;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;margin:0px;line-height:1.5;margin-block:0px 1.5em;max-width:100%">Talk at Lounsbury House: Sat. Nov. 15, 10am-11:30am<p style="box-sizing:border-box;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;margin:0px;line-height:1.5;margin-block:0px 1.5em;max-width:100%">Walk at Mapleshade Cemetery: Sun. Nov. 16, 10am-12pm<p style="box-sizing:border-box;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;margin:0px;line-height:1.5;margin-block:0px 1.5em;max-width:100%">All spaces for the cemetery walk on Sun. Nov. 16 are sold out. Tickets are still available for just the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15. If you purchase a ticket now as of 10/8/2025 you will only be able to attend the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15 and you will not be able to attend the walk in the cemetery.<p style="box-sizing:border-box;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;margin:0px;line-height:1.5;margin-block:0px 1.5em;max-width:100%"> A special two-part talk &amp; walk program, presented by the Ridgefield Historical Society and Lounsbury House, will introduce some fascinating characters and families, all now permanent residents of Ridgefield.  On Saturday, November 15, 10-11:30 a.m. at Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street, step into the past for a spellbinding afternoon of history, storytelling, and discovery as acclaimed broadcaster and poet Ira Joe Fisher interviews local historian and author Jack Sanders about his fascinating book, Here Lyes Ye Body. Sanders will share insights on our historic cemeteries and forgotten tales of generations past. With Fisher’s thoughtful questions and Sanders’ deep knowledge and wit, the discussion will uncover the rich narratives carved into old gravestones, revealing stories of the people that came before us. Their conversation will be followed by an opportunity for audience questions.  Jack Sanders, the former editor of the Ridgefield Press for 45 years and author of over 10 books on Ridgefield’s history, spent many years visiting town cemeteries, both as a person devoted to the history of Ridgefield and as a volunteer for <a href="http://findagrave.com" target="_blank">FindAGrave.com</a>, a 30-year-old community effort that now has more than 250 million entries of individual memorials. Inspired by the wealth of material written in stone, Sanders followed up with further research, which led to his book Here Lyes Ye Body, published in 2022.   Copies of Here Lyes Ye Body will be available for purchase from our friends at <a href="https://booksonthecommon.com/" target="_blank">Books on the Common</a> located at 404 Main St. in advance of the program and at the door, and attendees will have the opportunity to have them signed by Jack Sanders after the event.  A discussion of cemeteries calls for a field trip, and Sanders will lead a walk (The Walk is now SOLD OUT as of 10/8/2025) through the six cemeteries that make up the cemetery (bounded by North Salem Road, Mapleshade Road and North Street in Ridgefield) on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. He’ll point out notable graves and tell the stories of their “owners.” Participants should expect a mile of walking over uneven lawn. Please carpool and park at Mapleshade Cemetery (entrance at North Street/Mapleshade Road). Tickets are limited, non-refundable, and expected to sell out quickly.  UPDATE 10/8/2025:All spaces for the cemetery walk on Sun. Nov. 16 are sold out. Tickets are still available for the talk at Lounsbury House on Sat. Nov. 15. If you purchase a ticket now as of 10/8/2025 you will only be able to attend the talk at Lounsbury House and will not be able to attend the walk in the cemetery. Tickets for the Saturday Talk are $15 for members of Lounsbury House or the Ridgefield Historical Society, $20 for those who are not yet members.   For more information, call 203-438-5821 or email <a href="mailto:info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org" target="_blank">info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org</a> Thank you to <a href="https://www.dcolabellafineart.com/" target="_blank">D. Colabella Art Gallery</a>, <a href="https://booksonthecommon.com/" target="_blank">Books on the Common</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ridgefield.ct/" target="_blank">Local-Insta</a> for their sponsorship support!<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1757055473/wysiwyg/ewegxpcdzi3ap64lvzpu.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" />

Ridgefield Historical Society

Here Lyes Ye Body: A Talk and Walk

316 Main St

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