Ridgefield History Club: 150th Anniversary of the Ridgefield Press

The Ridgefield Press is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, and the next meeting of the Ridgefield History Club will explore the rich history of this community institution. Join us on Tuesday, April 15, at 10 a.m. at the Scott House, 4 Sunset Lane, for an engaging discussion led by Jack Sanders, former Ridgefield Press editor of more than 40 years and the author of over 10 books on Ridgefield’s history. Sanders will share insights into the newspaper’s evolution, its role in shaping local journalism, and memorable stories from its storied past.

When D. Crosby Baxter announced his new monthly publication for the town of Ridgefield in 1875, he chose the motto, “Great oaks from little acorns grow.” By the end of that year, the monthly was a weekly, its name revised to The Ridgefield Press. Karl S. Nash, a descendant of Ridgefield settlers, bought the paper with his brother John Nash in 1937, and it remained in the family until 2018, reaching a circulation of more than 7,000 in the 1990s for a 90% saturation of town households. As it grew under Nash leadership, The Press (and other weeklies in the organization) became a training ground for aspiring young journalists, who went on to a variety of careers, including at the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times (two Pulitzer Prizes), and other national publications. Others went on to law school; at least one became a judge. Many Ridgefield youngsters got their first job as a Press newsboy/girl, lining up on Thursday afternoons to get papers literally hot off the presses at the Bailey Avenue office. In the 150 years since its founding, the town’s weekly newspaper has had multiple editors and owners, all local until 2018, when it became part of Hearst Media.

Ridgefield History Club is an informal history discussion at which participants are invited to share their insights and ask questions. Everyone is welcome to the free one-hour meeting at the Ridgefield Historical Society headquarters in the Scott House. Space is limited and we ask that people sign up in advance here. For more information, call 203-438-5821 or email info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org.

Photo Captions:

1. The Ridgefield Press Building

2. Karl Nash with Gov. Ribicoff

3. Karl Nash and Harry Hull