DERRY — He's history.
Longtime author and local history expert Richard Holmes is now officially the town's first historian.
The Town Council approved giving Holmes the honor at its meeting Feb. 7.
"I'm thrilled," Holmes said after the announcement. "It gives me a chance to do what I love." That will include offering his vast knowledge of the Derry and Londonderry area to anyone who might need help with tracing a family member or any other type of research.
Holmes will have regular office space in the first level of the municipal building. Citizens can stop by to ask questions about local history or get any other information they may need.
The appointment came about when Derry police Chief Edward Garone brought Town Administrator John Anderson to Holmes' living room to talk about the history job.
Holmes said he told Anderson he wanted to be more involved in the town's rich heritage and offer citizens any help they may need in the history field.
Holmes had been a member of the Derry Heritage Commission since 1985, serving as its chairman since 1995.
He stepped down from that post and also from his role as Derry museum curator in 2010.
He is an accomplished speaker, and author of several books on Derry history and the history of surrounding towns. He is active in the life of the historic Robert Frost Farm in Derry, serving as a farm trustee.
He also is active in the Friends of the Forest Hill Cemetery, helping keep the integrity of the historic East Derry graveyard intact.
Holmes started the history museum in the Adams Building, setting up exhibits and displays, planning special events and tours, and continuing a quest to bring historical artifacts home to Derry.
Town Councilor Neil Wetherbee said Derry is lucky to have Holmes and said his collection of facts about the town was a treasure trove of information.
"His knowledge is unlike anybody else in town," Wetherbee said.
Anderson said Holmes' position is unpaid, but it would give him the distinction of being a person who is officially the keeper of the town's rich heritage and past.
"It will be a great benefit to the community to have him," Anderson said.
Holmes said it will take him a few weeks to get his new space at the municipal center up and running.
Once he is established there, he invites anyone to stop by for history help.
"Anyone who is curious, real estate agents wanting to know the history of a house, I can point them in the right direction," Holmes said. "Or anyone who wants to just come in and chatter."
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