The Art of Storytelling: Stories of Ridgefield and Remarkable Lives

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About Course

Join Dr. Darla Shaw in a captivating storytelling journey through history, art, and culture. Explore the lives of remarkable figures like Tasha Tudor, Anna Hyatt Huntington, and Ethel Barrymore, and experience the rich heritage of Ridgefield through engaging tales and Tellabration stories. Perfect for history lovers, storytelling enthusiasts, and anyone inspired by remarkable stories.

What Will You Learn?

  • By watching these lectures, you will discover the stories of remarkable women, cultural figures, and community members who helped shape American history and the life of the town of Ridgefield. You will learn about their contributions to art, education, storytelling, and the advancement of women’s rights. The lectures combine historical facts with engaging storytelling and personal memories, offering a deeper understanding of local history, the tradition of oral storytelling, and the impact individuals can have on preserving cultural heritage.

Course Content

Tasha Tudor Presentation by Storyteller Dr. Darla Shaw
In celebration of Women’s History Month join us virtually as storyteller and women’s studies scholar Dr. Darla Shaw portrays award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Tasha Tudor. Tudor considered the 20 years that she lived in Redding to be the most creative time of her life. Dr. Shaw’s program will explore the reasons why this daughter of the early 20th-century lived the lifestyle of a 19th-century farm woman and the impact that had on her life, her work and her family.

Anna Hyatt Huntington Presentation by Dr. Darla Shaw
Join us virtually as Ridgefield storyteller and women’s studies scholar Dr. Darla Shaw takes on the role of prominent sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington who lived in Redding from 1939 to 1973. The program will focus on Anna as America’s first and foremost woman sculptor and her globally expansive body of work in over two hundred major museums. In addition, viewers will learn about Anna’s personal life, her relationship to Redding, her life as a philanthropist, women’s rights activist, and her numerous statues found in the Connecticut and New York area which one can easily visit. Several of her statues are located in Redding, one titled Torch Bearers can be found on the lawn of the Mark Twain Library.

Darla Shaw – Ethel Barrymore: April 20th, 2022
In this lecture, storyteller Dr. Darla Shaw brings to life the remarkable story of Ethel Barrymore, one of the most celebrated actresses of the famous Barrymore theatrical dynasty. Through engaging first-person storytelling, the audience discovers Ethel’s childhood, her rise in the theater world, her family legacy, and the personal challenges she faced throughout her life. This presentation offers a fascinating glimpse into American theater history and the life of a legendary performer who lived for many years in Mamaroneck.

Ridgefield Tellebration Stories
In this session, Dr. Darla Shaw hosts a special Tellabration storytelling event at the Ridgefield Historical Society in Connecticut. The program celebrates the global tradition of storytelling, sharing the history of Tellabration and its origins in 1988. Community members take the stage to share personal stories about Ridgefield’s past, local heritage, and meaningful experiences that shaped the town. Through these heartfelt narratives, the event highlights the importance of preserving community history and the power of storytelling to connect people across generations.

Tales of Ridgefield
Ridgefield storytellers, under the guidance of Dr. Darla Shaw, share tales of the town on 11/19/2024.

Tellabration 2025 RidgefieldHistoricalSociety
This session opens a Tellabration storytelling event at the Ridgefield Historical Society, where community members gather to celebrate local history and personal stories. After a welcome from the Executive Director, Dr. Darla Shaw introduces several speakers who share meaningful experiences connected to Ridgefield. The stories highlight community service, education, local organizations, and personal memories that have shaped the town. Through these heartfelt narratives, the program reflects the spirit of connection, heritage, and storytelling within the Ridgefield community.

Salt in My Shoes by Darla Shaw
In this storytelling session, Dr. Darla Shaw shares the inspiring true story “Salt in His Shoes,” based on the childhood of basketball legend Michael Jordan. Through engaging narration, the story follows young Michael as he struggles with being shorter than other players and facing teasing from a bully. With the encouragement of his mother, he learns the importance of believing in himself, working hard, and staying determined. This motivational story reminds listeners that success comes from perseverance, discipline, and heart.

Darla Shaw, Strega Nona
In this storytelling session, Dr. Darla Shaw tells the classic children’s tale “Strega Nona and Big Anthony” by Tomie dePaola. The story follows the magical Strega Nona and her helper Big Anthony, whose curiosity leads to chaos when he uses a magical pasta pot he was told never to touch. Through humor and imagination, the story teaches an important lesson about responsibility, trust, and listening to wise advice.

“A Virtual Chat with Mary E. Woolley – Activist and Educator” – Performed by Dr. Darla Shaw
Learn about Woolley’s remarkable life which began in South Norwalk, CT. After becoming the first female student at Brown University and a professor at Wellesley College, Woolley became the 11th president of Mount Holyoke College from 1900 - 1937. Under her direction, the college made great strides in aligning the curriculum to the changing needs of society. Throughout her life, Woolley was awarded twenty honorary doctorate degrees from the country’s most prestigious universities. Later in life, Woolley became a peace activist and proponent for abolishing child labor.

Eagle and the Wren by Darla Shaw
In this storytelling session, Lady Narrador shares the classic tale “The Eagle and the Wren,” a favorite story of renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. Through a lively story about birds competing to fly the highest, listeners discover an important lesson about teamwork, intelligence, and cooperation. The story encourages children to think about how working together can help achieve goals that might be impossible alone.

Change Agents 4: Suffragists on Main Street, Part 1 (Laura Shields)
In this episode, Dr. Darla Shaw portrays Laura Curie Allee Shields who lived at the corner of Market and Main Streets, Ridgefield. She was a suffragist, civic leader, and along with her first husband, Dr. William H. Allee, was a champion in the improvement of Ridgefield schools.

Woman to Woman: So Much Has Changed and Yet So Much is Still the Same
In this special session marking the 100th anniversary of the Equal Rights Amendment, Dr. Darla Shaw and Jean Rexford share a thoughtful conversation about the progress and ongoing challenges of women’s rights in the United States. Through personal stories and historical milestones, they reflect on how women’s roles in society have evolved and discuss the work that still lies ahead in the pursuit of equality.

Growing up in Ridgefield with Jim & Lynn Mullen
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Darla Shaw speaks with Jim and Lynn Mullen about growing up in Ridgefield. Through personal memories and family stories, they reflect on early schools, community life, family heritage, and the everyday experiences that shaped the town across generations.

Change Agents 7: Women of the Streets, Part 2 (Liz Leonard)
In part two of this episode, Dr. Darla Shaw portrays Liz Leonard, the first female Selectman of Ridgefield. The stretch of highway on Route 116 from Barlow Mountain to Scotland School is named after her. She moved to town in the 1960s and found work as a political journalist for the Danbury News Times and Bridgeport Post, among others, before coming into office as State Representative and later First Selectman.

Change Agents 18: Elizabeth Biglow Ballard
Dr. Darla Shaw portrays Elizabeth Biglow Ballard who was born in the late 1800s and came to Ridgefield every year between the ages of 11 and 86. She lived in the former home of Philip Burr Bradley and, in 1964, left the five acres of land where the house stood to the town. This property is now Ballard Park.

Change Agents 25: The Powdermaker Sisters
Dr. Darla Shaw portrays Florence Powdermaker and tells the story of her sister Hortense, both Doctorates, who in the 1920s contributed greatly to their respective fields. Florence had a doctorate in medicine and psychiatry and Hortense was a doctor of anthropology. They lived on a 103-acre farm in Ridgebury for 30 years. Powdermaker Drive is named after them.

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