Meadow Ridge to Help Fairfield County’s Oldest Historical Society Further Their Mission
Redding, Conn. & New Canaan, Conn. – Meadow Ridge, a Benchmark continuing care retirement community (CCRC), will serve as an annual sponsorship partner of the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society starting this month. The sponsorship will support the society’s many educational programs, permanent and rotating exhibitions and seasonal events throughout the year, including art installations, its colonial herb garden, fall party and more.
The partnership comes as a result of both organizations’ shared commitment to advancing history and a love of art. In addition, many Meadow Ridge residents made New Canaan their home before retirement, so continuing to support a community they cherish remains a priority.
“So many museums have lost significant attendance and revenue due to the pandemic,” said Chris Barstein, executive director of Meadow Ridge. “It’s important to our community’s leadership and our residents that we be as supportive as we can to local educational institutions, especially during this time. New Canaan Museum offers so much, and we’re excited to make it possible for new visitors to explore it.”
Founded in 1889, the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, along with the Westport Museum, is the oldest historical society in Fairfield County. The campus consists of two acres housing a research library with a collection of more than 3,500 works, eight museums and historical buildings, including one of the first buildings designated by the Department of Interior as a National Historic Landmark. Current exhibitions include a celebration of local painter Augusta Simon and the first American sculptor to mass-produce his work, John Rogers.
“We are extremely grateful to Meadow Ridge for their generous sponsorship,” exclaims Nancy Geary, executive director of the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society. “Operating this cultural institution, maintaining its historic buildings, preserving collections and mounting exhibitions is expensive. We could not do it without partners who share our sense of purpose and mission.”
Meadow Ridge caters to residents’ interests in art and history with a variety of on-site programs. In-person and virtual academic classes offered through Meadow Ridge University, art classes and various off-site trips to concerts, ballet performances, museums and theatre and more are offered.
About Meadow Ridge
Managed by Benchmark Senior Living, Meadow Ridge in Redding, Conn., is one of Connecticut’s most comprehensive continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) with 136 acres and 415 apartment homes offering independent living, assisted living and award-winning skilled nursing and rehabilitation. The community’s new Mind & Memory Care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia is expected to open in 2022.