Open Schoolhouse Days

With Ridgefield Public Schools officially starting tomorrow, a visit to the Peter Parley Schoolhouse — and a celebration of Parley’s birthday — is a perfect re-entry to the 2023-2024 academic year.

The afternoon will feature a 2:00pm ‘lesson’ by Dr. Darla Shaw, portraying Parley’s sister, Abigail Goodrich Whittlesey – an engaging opportunity to learn more about the man, the school, and the times in which they lived.

The Peter Parley Schoolhouse honors the author and alumnus Samuel G. Goodrich (pen name Peter Parley), but his siblings, who studied there as well, were also accomplished wordsmiths. Abigail Goodrich (later Whittlesey) became one of America’s first female magazine editors and provided information and advice to countless 19th Century families, while Charles A. Goodrich, the only one of the three to receive a college education, was the author of more than two dozen books on history, geography and religion. We’ll honor Abigail’s legacy with a presentation by Dr. Darla Shaw at Last Sunday at the Schoolhouse on Sunday, Aug. 27. The school, formerly the West Lane District School and now a museum of early Ridgefield education, will be open to visitors from 1 to 4; Dr. Shaw’s presentation will begin at 2.

No registration required.