The Ridgefield Historical Society has selected Heritage Consultants LLC of Newington to conduct research into the Battle of Ridgefield. The firm's principals have extensive experience with historical sites in Connecticut.
The Ridgefield Historical Society was awarded a National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program grant for the study following the discovery of several Revolutionary War era skeletons beneath a home being renovated. Heritage Consultants’ work will include historical research of relevant military, Colonial and Revolutionary War documents, interviews with knowledgeable individuals, local informants and landowners; review of secondary sources related to Battle events; historical archeological research; military terrain analysis; Global Positioning Systems and Geographic Information Systems applications; and windshield and walkover surveys of the Battlefield Study and Core Areas.
A final report is due by the end of December.
The Battle of Ridgefield took place in April 1777 when William Tryon and soldiers were on their way back to ships off Westport after the British had destroyed Continental Army supplies in Danbury. Led by Benedict Arnold, the American forces were overrun by the British.
Dr. Kevin McBride, David George and Dr. David Naumec are the leads on the project. Dr. McBride has more than 40 years’ experience in Colonial and Native history and the archeology of southern New England; he has directed 14 NPS ABPP projects in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Mr. George has 30 years’ experience in southern New England archaeology; he has focused on Connecticut in the late prehistoric, Contact Period, and early historic periods. He also has been involved in researching and excavating at Revolutionary War-era residences and at Fort Griswold in Groton. Dr. Naumec has 20 years’ experience in Colonial and American history and specializes in African and Native American history, American military history and Connecticut history. He has served as military historian and field coordinator on 14 NPS ABPP projects with Dr. McBride.
