The setting is Ridgefield in 1910. Famous architect Cass Gilbert, who lives in the Cannon Ball House on Main Street, has just received a commission from F.W. Woolworth, the department store tycoon, for a new headquarters building in New York City. The architect has persuaded Woolworth that the building should reach for the sky and deploy the latest in engineering and technology, including an elevator and electricity. Mr. Gilbert and his senior apprentices are excited about the possibility of designing such a challenging structure, but need to hire the right staff, including Junior Apprentices and draftsmen. Where to find qualified help?
Students entering grades fourth through sixth in the fall may “apply for a job” as a junior apprentice at the Architectural Design Firm of Cass Gilbert, in the Carriage Barn at 132 Main Street in Ridgefield.
Visit keelertavernmuseum.org or call 203-438-5485 for more information.
Apprentices are expected to show up at work daily from July 21 to 25, 9:30 to 1:30 p.m. The cost for the apprenticeship is $250 per child ($225 with a sibling and family membership discount), and includes the Keeler Kids T-shirt, all supplies, materials and daily snacks.
Under the direction of Mr. Gilbert’s chief senior apprentice, Lloyd Taft Jr., new hires will learn hands-on about the parts that make up a skyscraper, including a base, shaft and capital. They will be able to observe the inner workings of an elevator and find out why elevators can’t plunge to the ground. Once trained in basic design concepts, Junior Apprentices will build a person-sized model of their own skyscraper design using recyclable materials, and submit it for a juried review at the end of the week. The jury will include Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Taft, Mr. Woolworth and Mrs. Julia Finch Gilbert, the architect’s wife.
In addition to spending time in the design studio and model shop, junior apprentices will be conducting oral history interviews with long-time residents to learn first-hand about life in early 20th century Ridgefield; spend a day at Weir Farm National Park, the former home of painter J. Alden Weir, a contemporary of Cass Gilbert; play competitive croquet on Mrs. Gilbert’s lawn; and make a Gatsby-style costume to attend Mrs. Gilbert’s garden party held on Friday, July 25, to which families and friends are invited.