Kenneth T. Jackson, Barzun Professor of History and Social Sciences, has been named the new President of the New-York Historical Society, reported the NEW YORK TIMES 5/3/00.

Jackson will succeed Betsy Gotbaum, who has been the society's president since 1994.

One of Columbia University's most distinguished history professors, Jackson, 61, originally refused the job thinking it would affect his ability to continue teaching. "I said absolutely not," recalled Jackson, "because I love my job teaching that much."

When it became clear that would be able to continue teaching on a reduced schedule and incorporate other educational programs into the society's activities, he decided the job was a good fit.

As president, Jackson has promised to renew the institution's focus on the immigrants that have shaped the city. He also wants to publicize the society's extensive research library and has suggested novel ways to increase the institutions popularity, like sponsoring all night bike rides, field trips and movie nights.

He would also like to reach out to those groups who may have felt underrepresented or ignored by the institution.

"I want people, when they think about history, to think about the New-York Historical Society; we are going to extend our reach a bit, we want this to be the historical society for all New Yorkers," Jackson said.

Jackson, a big fan of the city, sat in his office at Central Park West and 77th Street and said, "We have the greatest product in the world: New York and its history."