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:Regular admission for one person to the Ridgefield Historical Society's inaugural Mad For Modern program, A Japanese Influenced Modern-House Talk and Garden Walk on Sunday, June 7, from 3pm-6pm.

General Admission

Tour a remarkable 1930s home featuring a carefully curated collection of art and furniture, walk its peaceful Japanese-inspired garden, and learn more about the legacy of the man who built it &ndash; all in one exclusive afternoon in June as the Ridgefield Historical Society kicks off its &ldquo;Mad for Modern&rdquo; series. &nbsp;&ldquo;Japanese-influenced Modern: House Talk and Garden Walk&rdquo;&nbsp;will be held 3-6 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Advance reservation required. Tickets on sale now at<a fr-original-style="" href="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/event/mad-for-modern-a-japanese-influenced-modern-with-a-story/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">&nbsp;ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/programs-events</a>. The event is the first program in a new series presented by the Historical Society on architecture, design and the built environment of Ridgefield&rsquo;s modern and postmodern era.&nbsp;Developed under the W. Arthur Architectural Archives, the &ldquo;Mad for Modern&rdquo; series will explore the town&rsquo;s 20th-century transformation through evolving design practices, materials and patterns of suburban growth.&nbsp; The tour will give enthusiasts of Modernism a peek at its earliest influences, as the house itself features the strong indoor-outdoor connection and use of glass that later became hallmarks of Modern architecture. The extensive gardens, heavily influenced by Japanese principles of harmony in nature, are at a peak spring bloom in early June. &ldquo;The event is designed to share both architectural features of the house and the important 20th century impact of its former owner,&rdquo; said Stephen Bartkus, executive director of the Ridgefield Historical Society, &ldquo;Paolino Gerli, who spent summers in Ridgefield through the &rsquo;30s, built an American silk trade that continues still today, and helped rebuild post-war Japanese-U.S. trade.&rdquo; The afternoon will feature a talk indoors by cultural historian and family descendent E. Michael Gerli. The group will move outdoors with a guided walk through the gardens, complete with koi pond and Japanese tea house. The event concludes with&nbsp;drinks and light refreshments. As an organization dedicated to history and preservation, the Ridgefield Historical Society explores the full sweep of Ridgefield&rsquo;s history, from its&nbsp;well-known colonial times to the post-WWII era&nbsp;and its impact on the town&rsquo;s trajectory and growth throughout the last century. <a href="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/support-us/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" fr-original-style="" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;"></a> Tickets for this program are $75 per person and $65 per person for Ridgefield Historical Society members (members should enter discount code 10OFF at checkout). PLEASE DO NOT USE THE DISCOUNT CODE IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER. If you&rsquo;re not a member of the Historical Society, we welcome you to join by clicking <a fr-original-style="" href="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/support-us/membership/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">HERE</a>. If you are unsure of your membership status, contact info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org or call 203-438-5821.&nbsp;Tickets are limited, nonrefundable and available only in advance. Location details provided with reservation. The event will take place rain or shine. For more information contact info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org or 203-438-5821.&nbsp;

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 our inaugural Mad For Modern program, Japanese-Influenced Modern Concept: Family History, Garden Walk and Cocktails on Sun. June 7, 3-6pm. We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting event! <p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; 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; width: 336.667px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; 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; width: 336.667px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We will forward the address and parking instructions to all ticketholders a week prior to the event.<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; 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; width: 336.667px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; 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; width: 336.667px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> The program takes place rain or shine and all sales are final. Tickets are not refundable. &nbsp;Printed tickets aren&#39;t required, check in with your name.<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; 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; width: 336.667px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; 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; width: 336.667px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> To become a member or volunteer, and support our work to preserve and share Ridgefield&#39;s remarkable history go to: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/</a><p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; 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; width: 336.667px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; 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; width: 336.667px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Warm regards,Stephen BartkusExecutive DirectorRidgefield Historical Society

Tour a remarkable 1930s home featuring a carefully curated collection of art and furniture, walk its peaceful Japanese-inspired garden, and learn more about the legacy of the man who built it – all in one exclusive afternoon in June as the Ridgefield Historical Society kicks off its “Mad for Modern” series.  “Japanese-influenced Modern: House Talk and Garden Walk” will be held 3-6 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Advance reservation required. Tickets on sale now at<a href="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/event/mad-for-modern-a-japanese-influenced-modern-with-a-story/" target="_blank"> ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/programs-events</a>. The event is the first program in a new series presented by the Historical Society on architecture, design and the built environment of Ridgefield’s modern and postmodern era. Developed under the W. Arthur Architectural Archives, the “Mad for Modern” series will explore the town’s 20th-century transformation through evolving design practices, materials and patterns of suburban growth.  The tour will give enthusiasts of Modernism a peek at its earliest influences, as the house itself features the strong indoor-outdoor connection and use of glass that later became hallmarks of Modern architecture. The extensive gardens, heavily influenced by Japanese principles of harmony in nature, are at a peak spring bloom in early June. “The event is designed to share both architectural features of the house and the important 20th century impact of its former owner,” said Stephen Bartkus, executive director of the Ridgefield Historical Society, “Paolino Gerli, who spent summers in Ridgefield through the ’30s, built an American silk trade that continues still today, and helped rebuild post-war Japanese-U.S. trade.” The afternoon will feature a talk indoors by cultural historian and family descendent E. Michael Gerli. The group will move outdoors with a guided walk through the gardens, complete with koi pond and Japanese tea house. The event concludes with drinks and light refreshments. As an organization dedicated to history and preservation, the Ridgefield Historical Society explores the full sweep of Ridgefield’s history, from its well-known colonial times to the post-WWII era and its impact on the town’s trajectory and growth throughout the last century. <a href="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/support-us/membership/" target="_blank"></a> Tickets for this program are $75 per person and $65 per person for Ridgefield Historical Society members (members should enter discount code 10OFF at checkout). PLEASE DO NOT USE THE DISCOUNT CODE IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER. If you’re not a member of the Historical Society, we welcome you to join by clicking <a href="https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/support-us/membership/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. If you are unsure of your membership status, contact info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org or call 203-438-5821. Tickets are limited, nonrefundable and available only in advance. Location details provided with reservation. The event will take place rain or shine. For more information contact info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org or 203-438-5821.

Ridgefield Historical Society

A Japanese Influenced Modern: House Talk and Garden Walk

To be shared with ticketholders prior to the event

General Admission

$75

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