Ridgewood Schoolhouse Museum Reopens

The following was submitted by The Ridgewood Historical Society.

Reopening after two weeks of Unplugged music, the Schoolhouse Museum is a must stop on your travels throughout Ridgewood. 

On display is "The Collection," an exquisite exhibit celebrating 60 years of preservation efforts and showcasing our most treasured artifacts that bring local history alive.

View Lenape arrowheads and stone tools along with early Dutch artifacts. Learn about Thomas Barber, veteran of the Spanish American War, who was aide to camp for Clara Barton. See Ida Graydon’s 1873 silver tea service that was passed down through the Graydon family and donated to the museum last year. Learn about the arts and crafts of the 19th century through a selection of quilts and coverlets, pottery made from red clay found on the shores of the Hackensack River, and the art of stitching letters and numbers onto a linen sampler. 

Enjoy a display of men’s and women’s personal possessions from hats to shoes and everything in between. See a silk taffeta wedding dress adorned with pearl buttons from the 1860s and a black beaded mourning dress of the 1880s. Both dresses are beautiful in their design and style. Learn about Henrietta Hawes; first women elected to the Board of Education, designer of Oakcroft, and president of the Women’s Club; and see items from her 1897 trousseau.

The museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 to 3 and Sundays 2 to 4. The exhibit will interest adults and children. Scouting troops and school groups are welcome. Email info@ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org or call 201-447-3242 to arrange for a group tour.

Upcoming events, sponsored by the Ridgewood Historical Society, include Children’s Day at the Museum on February 10 and Preserving your Precious Heirlooms and Antiques with Bari Falese on March 24. 

For more information on these events check the Museum’s web site at www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org