The Keeler Tavern Museum has been a farm house, tavern and stagecoach stop, a busy hotel for travelers and summer guests, the summer home of a noted architect and his family, and since 1966 a museum listed in the National Register of Historic Places

The tavern building with its central chimney was built around 1713 by Benjamin Hoyt. Converted into a tavern and stagecoach stop in 1772 by his grandson Timothy Keeler, it is located on the inland stage route from New York City to Hartford to Boston. The Keeler Tavern served as the Ridgefield Post Office for over fifty years in the 19th Century. A British cannonball fired at the Keeler Tavern during the Revolutionary War (on April 27, 1777) remains embedded in a corner post. Operated as a hotel by Timothy's daughter Anna and her husband Abijah Ressegule, the property was sold in 1907 by their daughter Anna Marie to Cass Gilbert, the architect of the Woolworth Building in New York City, The Library in New Haven, CT and the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.

Cass Gilbert's improvements to the property include a circa 1915 Garden House overlooking a brick wall garden. Designed for entertaining, it is used today for concerts, lectures and other special events, and may be rented for social occasions. The Keeler Tavern Preservation Society, Inc. opened the property as a museum on July 4, 1966 to preserve Ridgefield's most historic site for the education and enjoyment of all who visit. The Museum is furnished with 18th and 19th century pieces, reflecting life as lived in Ridgefield for over 250 years.

A special exhibit can be seen at the Museum in connection with the Ridgefield's "March to Victory" Weekend, celebrating the military career of Jeremiah Keeler (1760-1853), Timothy Keeler's brother, who enlisted at age 16 in the 9th regiment of Connecticut Militia and served under several commanders including Gen. David Wooster. Jeremiah took part in the Battle of Ridgefield (4/27/1777) and following an illness rejoined his regiment at Valley Forge in 1778. In 1781, he was chosen by Baron Von Steuben to serve in a light artillery brigade headed for Virginia under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman serving as a general with the American Army. Jeremiah took part in the assault on British General Cornwallis' forces at Yorktown. He witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis and the imposing appearance of the French troops commanded by the Compte de Rochambeau. When Jeremiah received his discharge in Virginia he was presented with a sword by General Lafayette which he carried home to Ridgefield. (Unfortunately this sword is no longer in existence.) Jeremiah lived a long and fruitful life in Lewisboro (now South Salem, NY) where he settled with his wife, Huldah Hull and family.

The Keeler Tavern Museum and its Gift Shop are open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM for tours by guides in period costumes. (Last tour starts at 3:30 PM.) Group tours arranged by appointment. Closed the month of January.

The Keeler Tavern Museum is owned and operated by the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society, Inc. It is a nonprofit volunteer organization. All proceeds raised by tours and special events go to support the Museum and its activities.