Battlefield Of Ridgefield Lead Archaeologist To Reveal Latest Discoveries

In the year leading up to the American 250th celebration, a team of archaeologists has found exciting new evidence that adds to the understanding of the Battle of Ridgefield and its place in the history of the United States.

Dr. Kevin McBride, principal investigator for Heritage Consultants LLC, led the work in this second study sponsored by the Ridgefield Historical Society under a National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program grant. He will talk about the team’s findings on Thursday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. in a free illustrated presentation at the Ridgefield Library, 472 Main Street. This event is co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Historical Society and the Ridgefield Library and is part of both organizations’ commemoration of the 250^th anniversary of America in 2026. Admission is free, thanks to the Battlefield Grant, but registration is required on the Ridgefield Historical Society website. Donations are appreciated.

The archaeologists who spent time in Ridgefield last spring, summer and fall were informed by historical research done under the historical society’s 2021 N.P.S. grant and with that documentation they focused on likely areas where artifacts indicating fighting might be found. The many objects the group discovered presented several surprises that appear to change the historical record.

Dr. McBride will explain how his team worked and share the discoveries made in this latest battlefield study. It’s become clear that the Battle of Ridgefield encompassed at least four engagements, with harassment of the British continuing from Ridgebury right through the center of town to their overnight encampment south of the village.

The formal report by Heritage Consultants LLC will be released later in 2026; it will be available on the Ridgefield Historical Society website.

Kevin McBride is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut and the former Director of Research at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. He has conducted archaeological and historical research throughout New England, Block Island, Baja Mexico, the Caribbean, and Portugal. His research interests include Indigenous and Colonial cultural and historical landscapes, maritime adaptations, historical archaeology, underwater archaeology, and battlefield archaeology. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Museum of Natural History and of the Governor’s Task Force on Indian Affairs. He has written numerous articles on Native American and Colonial archaeology, ethnohistory, archaeobotany, underwater archaeology, and battlefield archaeology.

For reservations for his talk on April 23, please visit the Ridgefield Historical Society website. Contact 203-438-5821 or info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

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