Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (“KTM&HC”) is pleased to announce that Tom Broderick, 8th grade teacher at Scotts Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield, Connecticut, is the 2019 recipient of the Anna Keeler Award for Excellence in History and Civics Education. KTM&HC will present the award to Mr. Broderick at its 2nd annual Fall Party on September 14, 2019. All funds raised at the Fall Party support KTM&HC’s full-day, immersive, and curriculum-aligned school programs developed in partnership with teachers for students in Pre-K through 12th grade.
Established in 2015, the award recognizes a teacher whose passion and dedication motivates students to understand how past events shape the present and inform the future. Mr. Broderick will receive the award for partnering with KTM&HC’s Education Department, including Cheyney McKnight, historical interpreter with www.notyourmommashistory.com, to teach 8th grade students about slavery through the poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” written by 18th century enslaved African American poet Phillis Wheatley.
The Phillis Wheatley poem demonstrates the power of words to move people to action. “Phillis Wheatley was a powerful voice against slavery who corresponded with influential figures in her lifetime, including George Washington and Lord Dartmouth,” said Ms. McKnight. “By examining her life, an enslaved black woman with no rights, students are challenged to examine their own privilege and agency and how they can use their voices to effect change.”
“The experience of enslaved individuals and their attempts to assert agency amidst trauma is central to understanding America, past and present,” said Tom Broderick. “I was thrilled to be invited to collaborate with Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center to deepen students’ understanding of these important topics, and I’m honored to be chosen to receive this award.”
Developed by KTM&HC for a youth audience, the program was part of a series called First Principles: Revisiting the Founding Era launched by several town partners to explore themes of the founding era and their relevance to contemporary society.
The award is named after Anna Keeler, the youngest daughter of Timothy and Esther Keeler, who famously operated Keeler Tavern during the American Revolution. As a young woman, Anna Keeler taught at Whipstick School where she was paid ten shillings a week. She spent her life in Ridgefield and lived to be 75 years old.
“We’re delighted to present this award to Tom Broderick at our Fall Party,” said Hildegard Grob, executive director at KTM&HC. “Tom’s approach to education aligns perfectly with ours at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center – to ensure an education rich in history and civics to help students become well-informed, civic-minded, and eager to engage in our democratic traditions.”
All proceeds from the Fall Party benefit school programs at KTM&HC which provide students from Ridgefield and area schools, including Title 1 Schools, an immersive living-classroom experience in 300 years of history and civics. The party will take place throughout the beautiful 4-acre grounds of KTM&HC, with hors d’oeuvres, dinner, cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, games, entertainment, music, and many exciting live auction and raffle items.
Tickets for the Fall Party, and sponsorship opportunities are available here.
KTM&HC tells 300 years of the town’s—and nation’s—history through the lives of its past residents. Tours of the 1713 Keeler Tavern Museum and other Points of Interest on the 4-acre site are offered Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Additional information about the site, including rental of the Cass Gilbert-designed Garden House and Walled Garden for meetings, events, and social occasions, can be found at keelertavernmuseum.org or Facebook.com/KeelerTavernMuseum. Follow KTM&HC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.