Ellen Burns and Darwin Ellis Honored at Inaugural Keeler Icons Reception
The owners of Ridgefield’s beloved Books on the Common independent bookstore were honored at the Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (KTM&HC, 152 Main St, Ridgefield, CT 06877 ) Garden House this past weekend. On Saturday, January 25, KTM&HC recognized Ellen Burns and Darwin Ellis at the inaugural Keeler Icons reception, an event designed to thank the museum’s most generous donors and supporters, as well as honor members of the Ridgefield community who have made lasting and meaningful contributions to the town.
“We were thrilled to honor Ellen and Darwin as our first-ever Keeler Icons and recognize the extraordinary work they’ve done for decades to build community and nurture our town’s love of reading,” said KTM&HC Executive Director Hildegard Grob. “We’re also thankful for the many KTM&HC supporters who attended our reception and make our education and preservation initiatives possible.”
The well-attended reception packed the historic Garden House on a bright winter afternoon, where attendees enjoyed good company, great conversation, and delicious catering from À Table. KTM&HC Board President Sara Champion welcomed guests and KTM&HC Board Vice President David Yaun acknowledged the significant impact that donor and community support has had – and will continue to have – on the museum, making KTM&HC’s mission-driven work possible and accessible for wide audiences. Grob presented Burns and Ellis with the Keeler Icon award, and CT State Senator Julie Kushner and CT State Representative Savet Constantine presented the honorees with an official citation from the State of Connecticut General Assembly. In their acceptance remarks, both Burns and Ellis emphasized their appreciation for Ridgefield’s supportive, welcoming community and their decades-long relationship with KTM&HC.
Speaking for herself and Ellis, Burns shared: “We were both honored to be named the inaugural Keeler Icons, and to gather with so many friends of the bookstore and supporters of Keeler Tavern Museum to celebrate the history and culture that bind us. In such a divided time in our country, it’s even more important to focus our efforts to educate, challenge, engage, and yes, entertain our customers, patrons, and supporters. We hope to continue to do so for years to come.”
The Keeler Icons event will return in early 2026. To learn more about upcoming programs at KTM&HC – supported by our generous donors and in collaboration with a variety of Ridgefield cultural institutions – head to www.keelertavernmuseum.org/events.
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