In addition to the furnishings used to decorate the rooms of the Keeler Tavern, the Museum maintains a variety of unique collections, including: Artwork, Costumes and Textiles, Decorative Objects, Documents and Records, Furniture, Hartmann Photo Glass Plates, Tools, Toys, and Utilitarian Objects. Special exhibits from the collections are displayed in the Cass Gilbert Dining Room and a second floor exhibit room. These change periodically.

The Keeler Tavern
Almost 300 years old, the Museum is housed in an architectural landmark building of national significance. Built about 1713, the initial structure has been preserved and restored as an 18th century tavern and was added to the national Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Artwork
This collection includes paintings, prints, samplers and sculpture. Among the most treasured pieces in the collection are the original engraving of the Battle of Ridgefield published April 4, 1780, the original T.Keeler's Inn sign, portraits of early Keeler family members and an original broadside of Columbus, a male elephant that appeared at the Keeler Tavern in the early 1800s.

In addition, visitors to the gardens will find recently mounted hand-carved decorative urns recreated in Italy from blueprints and images of the original urns that Cass Gilbert selected to compliment his garden setting.

Costumes and Textiles
The Costume and Textiles group organizes periodic exhibitions throughout the year to highlight its vast holdings. The collections include 18th through 20th century women's and men's clothing and accessories, the Gilbert collection, wedding ensembles, infants and children's clothing and accessories, bedding and quilts, and ceremonial and decorative textiles.

Decorative Objects
As lifestyles evolved, more affluent families no longer needed to limit household furnishings to basic utilitarian choices. Throughout the 18th and 19th century, the well-to-do frequently selected objects first and foremost for their aesthetic appeal, and secondarily for their functionality. Our collection of decorative objects includes a wide variety of pieces made of china, patterned /etched glass, silver and brass.

Documents and Records
The Museum Archives contain the historic records of the Keeler Tavern dating from its creation in 1713 to the present. These records encompass official documents, including building records correspondence and a collection of 18th and 19th books. The Archives also house some of the papers of Cass Gilbert.

The Archives are accessible to scholars and students by appointment.

Furniture
On display throughout the Keeler Tavern Museum are period furnishings used to interpret 18th and 19th century rural Connecticut times. Included in this collection are highboys, desks, chests and trunks, beds and tables and chairs. Of special interest is an early 18th century maple-case clock with a painted face, designed and built in Connecticut by John Whittier and his sons.

The Hartmann Photo Glass Plate Collection A great treasure of the Museum is its permanent collection of over 6000 photo glass plates taken By Joseph Hartmann between 1890 and the mid 1930s.

Tools
The early 18th and 19th century Americans relied on tools for their survival, livelihood and comfort. The collection of tools at the Museum includes farming and building implements, woodworking and metalworking tools, spinning wheels and quilt frames.

Toys
Early American children had little leisure time, but there were toys for entertainment and escape from daily chores. Our collection includes fine and primitive dolls, furniture, games, miniatures, and other playthings.

Utilitarian Objects
On display throughout the Museum are objects used in daily life by 18th and 19th century Americans. Simple and basic in concept and design, there are fireplace implements, cooking equipment, woodenware, tin and pewter, bottles, lighting devices, and weights and measures.

Access to Collections
The Museum's Office maintains all documentation on objects in the collections as well as special exhibition records. If you wish to acquire more in-depth information about the collections or exhibitions please make your request in writing either by mail or E-mail:

Keeler Tavern Museum
132 Main Street
P.O. Box 204
Ridgefield, CT 06877

E-mail: keelertavernmuseum@earthlink.net
or FAX: 203-438-9953

Rights and Reproductions are also handled through the Museum's office. It is responsible for all photographic services. If you wish to reproduce an image of an object in the Museum's collection, please make your initial request in writing (be sure to include your mailing address!) to the address or fax number above, or by e-mail:

You will then receive information pertaining to the type and purpose of reproduction that you propose.

Works of art and objects pictured or mentioned on this website may not be currently on view at the museum. Please call ahead to confirm availability of specific objects.

RETURN TO TOP