April, 1775 -- In a Town Meeting held at St. Stephen's Church this Thursday last, 400 townspeople gathered to debate joining the so-called American Revolution. After an hour of passionate argument, the vote was taken, and the Town voted to throw in with the Continental Congress, and, in effect, to revolt against King George. [Photo, left: DTC member Reggie Hazel as Patience Nash, wife of farmer Abraham Nash, argued passionately that we must fight for freedom.] Three short days later, red-coated British soldiers were on Town St., with their muskets and armament ready to do battle with Ridgefield's militia. [photo, right]
Of course, the Town Meeting was a reenactment of the real 1775 event, and the "British soldiers" were 21st Century Ridgefielders costumed for the 225th reenactment of the historic Battle of Ridgefield. The Town Meeting, called "The Other Battle of Ridgefield," was organized by the DTC's Dave Nichols, and was jointly sponsored by the DTC and the Republican Town Committee. RHS history students also participated. First Selectman Rudy Marconi had the entire Board of Selectmen join in the reenactment. [Photo, from left] A bewigged Steve Zemo played innkeeper Timothy Keeler, Barbara Manners played loyalist Esther Barlow, First Selectman Marconi played 18th Century First Selectman William Forrester, Peter Yanity was innkeeper Ichabod Doolittle, and Joan Plock was deacon's wife Mehitabel Hawley.
More than 400 Ridgefielders attended the reenactment. Attendees completely filled the pews at St. Stephen's and overflowed to the sidewalk outside. Reenactment organizers were grateful to St. Stephen's and pastor Rev. Dick Gilchrist for making their beautiful church available; as Keith Jones, local historian and Chairman of the Patriot Weekend Committee, said, "This church looks much the way a colonial-era church in Ridgefield looked."
Dave Goldenberg (right) served as the Moderator of the Town Meeting. He was also responsible for developing the script; it was adapted from the 1976 play, "King or Congress" by Norman Myrick, written for Ridgefield's celebration of the American Bicentennial. Dave also served as director of the event, and worked with all the "actors" on their parts. He is graciously making the script available to Ridgefield's schools for use in history classes.
GO TO
Index to All the News
Brought to you by the Ridgefield, Ct.
Democratic Town Committee, Susan D. Cocco, Chairman
Paid for by The Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee, Edwin C. Pearson, Treasurer
