Welcome to the Schoolhouse Museum!

From October 11, 2009 through July 25, 2010

Road to Revolution: Paramus Valley in the 18th Century explores a century of peace, war, and independence through the lives of the Lenape Indians, early Dutch settlers, and colonial soldiers in the area now known as Ridgewood. Learn about the strategic role of the Old Paramus Reformed Church during the Revolutionary War and view rare artifacts including a letter penned by George Washington. All of the artifacts on display are from the Ridgewood Historical Society's collection.

See the Ridgewood News article about the exibit.

For more information about the Schoolhouse Museum and our next exhibit, please email us, or call 201-447-3242.

The Schoolhouse Museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Other Happenings

Story Time and Cherry Tarts

To celebrate the 278th birthday of George Washington, the Schoolhouse Museum will host “Story Time and Cherry Tarts” on February 28th from 2:00–4:00 p,m.  The afternoon will begin with a story time and conclude with a remembrance of the first President in the form of refreshments, including cherry tarts.

The exhibit, “The Road to Revolution” will be open for viewing from 2:00–4:00 p.m. for visitors, adult and children.  All celebrants of the birthday will enjoy seeing the letter penned by George Washington in 1781 as well as the many artifacts evoking life in the Paramus Valley in the eighteenth century.  The role of the area in the American Revolution is highlighted in the exhibit.

Children will be able to listen to stories of the first President from a rollicking rhyme about his lifelong struggle with bad teeth to tales of his accomplishments as a general and as President.  The readings will be appropriate for children from grades 1-5 and will begin every twenty minutes starting at two o’clock, i.e. 2:00, 2:20, 2:40 and 3:00.

The usual free-will offering of $5 per person or $10 per family is requested.

Book Group Meets March 2, 2010

Our next selection is a biography by acclaimed storyteller and NYT best-selling author, Jon Meacham.  The subject?  That guy on the $20 dollar bill, ole what's-his-name...Andrew Jackson.  Old Hickory they called him 'cause he was as tough as a hickory switch.  How a frontier law man with no particular connections came to be president of the United States is always an inspiring story, not to mention a quintessentially American one.  But Jackson's story is re-interpreted here by Meacham, who gained access to newly discovered letters and papers .  As the designer of our modern presidency and founder of the Democratic Party, Jackson's contributions were profound even if his life was filled with the less than exemplary deeds all too common in politics.  Come join us on March 2 at the Ridgewood Historical Society at 7:30 p.m. for a discussion on the book American Lion.

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