nothin Schiff New City Historian | New Haven Independent

Schiff New City Historian

Benton School.

AYA

History pop quiz: Where was the old Benton School?

Judith Schiff knows the answer (Whalley Avenue near the corner of Harrison Street). Because she went there as a kid.

Schiff (pictured above right) knows lots of other answers about New Haven’s history. Not only because she has lived here her whole life. But because she has made a specialty out of learning, archiving, and writing about the subject.

She’s now ready to take your questions.

Mayor John DeStefano Monday announced that he has named Schiff the new official city historian. Richard Hegel held the unpaid post until his recent death. Citizens are directed to contact the city historian with questions about New Haven’s past.

Schiff’s day job is chief research archivist for Yale. She has lots of side avocations: past president of the local Jewish Historical Society, New Haven League of Women Voters, and the New England Archivists; New Haven Museum and Grove Street Cemetery board member; prolific published local-history writer, including a longtime column in the Yale Alumni Magazine.

One more history question: Who is New Haven’s first female city historian?

Answer: Judith Schiff.

Then again, Hegel was the only other city historian, first appointed by former Mayor Biagio DiLieto.

Schiff’s term expires at the end of 2013. If history is a guide, she may serve longer than that.

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