At its October 22 meeting, the Ridgefield Board of Selectpersons voted unanimously to appoint Jack Sanders as Town Historian and Betsy Reid as Assistant Town Historian, recognizing two individuals whose decades of scholarship and community service have shaped the way Ridgefield understands and preserves its past.
The appointments were endorsed by First Selectperson Rudy Marconi, who praised both nominees for their long-standing dedication to the town’s heritage.
Jack Sanders, a lifelong Connecticut resident and editor of The Ridgefield Press for 45 years, has spent decades chronicling the stories, people, and places that define Ridgefield. His authorship of over a dozen books including Ridgefield Names, Wicked Ridgefield, and Ridgefield’s Great Estates, as made him one of the town’s foremost historians. Through his Old Ridgefield Facebook page, which now connects more than 10,000 members, Sanders continues to share daily research, historic photographs, and lively discussions that bring Ridgefield’s past to life for a modern audience.
Betsy Reid, recently retired after two decades of distinguished service to the Ridgefield Historical Society, brings deep institutional knowledge and a passion for preservation. Since joining the Society in 2004, she has led its Oral History Program, capturing the voices of Ridgefield’s World War II veterans and longtime residents, and has played vital roles as Administrator and, most recently, as Collections Manager. Her work has safeguarded the town’s archives and artifacts while strengthening preservation efforts through professional stewardship and volunteer engagement.
Together, Sanders and Reid represent the best of Ridgefield’s historical community, combining research, writing, and preservation with a shared commitment to public history.
“Jack and Betsy have each devoted much of their lives to preserving and sharing Ridgefield’s story,” said Stephen Bartkus, Executive Director of the Ridgefield Historical Society. “Their appointment is not only a well-deserved honor but also an assurance that our town’s history will continue to be researched, recorded, and celebrated for generations to come.”
As Town Historian and Assistant Town Historian, Sanders and Reid will work in partnership with the Historical Society and the Town of Ridgefield to continue documenting local history, advising on preservation initiatives, and engaging the community in understanding the town’s evolving story.
To learn more contact Ridgefield Historical Society at 203-438-5821 or [email protected]
