Nick’s Favorite Item: A Portrait with a Deep Story
“One of the things that makes the Grundy Museum so special is the number of family portraits displayed throughout the house. Each painting tells a story, but there is one portrait I always make a point to highlight during tours — the portrait of Captain Joseph Ridgway,” Museum Administrative Coordinator Nick Rizzo shared.
Joseph Ridgway was the brother of Mary Ridgway Grundy, mother of Joseph and Margaret Grundy. Born in 1840 and raised as a Quaker, he made a remarkable and unconventional decision for someone of his faith. In August of 1862, during the height of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 23rd New Jersey Regiment after President Lincoln called for more Union soldiers.
On December 13, 1862, by then Captain Ridgway was in a combat in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. Tragically, he lost his life in combat. He gave up everything in his young life to fight for the Union and the cause of freedom.
Just one month after the tragedy, Mary Grundy gave birth to a son. She named him Joseph in honor of her fallen brother. That child would grow up to become Joseph Ridgway Grundy — the industrialist, U.S. Senator, and philanthropist whose legacy continues through the Grundy Museum today.
Late in life, Joseph Grundy reflected on the uncle and his ultimate sacrifice, “My Uncle Joseph, the only male in the family, gave his life for the Union Cause, just before I was born. How could I do less than serve my country when he had given his very life in its service?”
It’s a quote that gives even greater meaning to the portrait hanging quietly in the Study. It is more than just a painting. It is a reminder of sacrifice, family legacy, and the values that shaped Joseph Grundy’s life. You can sense the deep admiration Joseph Grundy had for the uncle he never had the chance to meet.
The oil-on-canvas portrait was commissioned by Joseph Grundy in 1899 and painted by artist Seymour Thomas. In 2019, the portrait was carefully conserved by Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio, ensuring that Captain Ridgway’s story can continue to be shared with future generations of Museum visitors.
