Greeley History Museum main gallery renamed to honor the late Peggy Ford Waldo

Peggy Ford Waldo

By Kelly Ragan

The City of Greeley Museum announced it renamed the Greeley History Museum’s main gallery to honor the late historian, Peggy Ford Waldo. 

In the newly dubbed Peggy Ford Waldo Gallery, visitors can explore the history of Greeley, including the formation of the Union Colony, the area’s agricultural heritage, water usage, and expansion over time, according to a news release. 

"Peggy’s thirst for knowledge and her devotion to her community were inspirational,” said Sarah Saxe, museums manager, in a news release. “She certainly made a lasting influence on my life and career, and I’m sure that is true for everyone who attended the reception. We hope that by renaming the gallery, Peggy’s immense contributions to Greeley will be recognized and that her legacy will live on."

Ford Waldo began working for the City of Greeley Museums in 1979, holding various positions throughout her tenure, according to the release, including research and education coordinator, programming curator, and development curator. She generously shared her knowledge with genealogists, writers, historians, and students of all ages, compiling, organizing, and making accessible Greeley Museums’ extensive archival collection.

She was widely known as the town historian.  

“I can’t count how many times one of us would wonder about something and say, ‘Have you asked Peggy?’ She was THAT person,” said Becky Safarik in a previous interview. Safarik recently un-retired, returning to serve as Greeley’s interim Community Development Manager after a brief retirement in her 40 years of working alongside Ford Waldo with the City of Greeley. 

Museum staff and Ford Waldo’s family participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a private reception held Tuesday, April 12, to formally rededicate the gallery.

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For more information, go to greeleymuseums.com.