Sherman named town historian

Sher man

David F. Sherman, managing editor of Bee Group Newspapers, has been named Amherst town historian.

He succeeds William Belinson, who died in August after serving as town historian since 1994. Sherman's appointment was confirmed Monday by vote of the Amherst Town Board.

Sherman has been a staff journalist with Bee Group Newspapers for more than 30 years, winning several state, regional and national awards for his work. He writes the weekly "Out of the Past" column in The Amherst Bee, highlighting events from back issues of the newspaper.

A graduate of Buffalo State College, he is a past president of the Greater Buffalo Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Sherman is an active member of the Williamsville Fire Department and was chairman of its 2006 Sesquicentennial Committee. His duties included producing an all-color hardcover book on the history of the department.

"The 128 years of local news on file at The Amherst Bee gives me a great foundation for research and preservation of local history," he said. "I hope I can be an added resource for the staff and trustees of the Amherst Museum."

"I personally enjoy community journalism for its ability to be 'the first rough draft of history.' Our history is what makes Amherst the distinctive town it is today."