Hartford— So far, the Hartford Historical Society’s quest to identify the town’s oldest resident has turned up four 96-year-olds. But less than two months before it will award the Hartford Cane, the nonprofit wants to be sure.

They’ve been reaching out through listservs, Bugbee Senior Center’s bulletin, churches, letters to the editor “and everyone I run into,” said Mary Nadeau, chairwoman of the historical society board. “We’re doing everything we can to ensure that we do have the oldest person.”

Many municipalities practice the tradition, which started in 1909 when the Boston Post gave walking canes to 700 small New England towns, to be used by their oldest residents. But this is the first time Hartford has done it, Nadeau said.

Her husband, Art Nadeau, made the cane from tiger maple harvested in town, she said. The cane, which has an ornate brass top and brass tip, “is beautiful.”

Hartford’s most senior senior will be celebrated on July 4thwith a small ceremonyand an interview for a short biography, to be printed in the historical society newsletter.

“We’ll try to find out a little about that person’s life,” either directly or from family members, Mary Nadeau said. Especially for an elderly person, “it’s so nice to let them know that we value them and that we’re happy about the contributions they made.”

The eldest resident will receive a certificate, and the cane will be displayed at Garipay House, the historical society’s museum, along with a plaque bearing the recipient’s name and date of birth.

Subsequent cane bearer’s names and birthdates will also be added.

Nadeau is asking people who know of older Hartford residents to contact her at vtgram3@gmail.com or 802-295-2123.

                 — Aimee Caruso