Colorado Digital Newspaper Project

FAIN: PJ-250167-16

History Colorado (Denver, CO 80203-2109)
Elisa Phelps (Project Director: January 2016 to August 2018)
Kerry Baldwin (Project Director: August 2018 to March 2019)
Melissa de Bie (Project Director: March 2019 to July 2019)
Shaun Boyd (Project Director: July 2019 to January 2023)

Funding details:
Original grant (2016) $200,000.00
Supplement (2018) $224,000.00
Supplement (2020) $223,892.00
Supplement (2023) ($27,637.22)

Digitization of 100,000 pages of Colorado's historic newspapers published between 1859 and 1922, as part of the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

History Colorado (HC) proposes to digitize 100,000 pages of its state’s historic newspapers, 1859-1922, as part of the National Digital Newspaper Program. From the first newspaper printed in 1859, HC’s newspaper collection tells the story of Colorado: communities that evolved from rough mining camps to thriving towns, towns that died out and became ghost towns, conflicts with Native American peoples, the spread of agriculture and ranching, labor unrest and mining, suffrage, exploration and protection of the region’s natural beauty, the discovery of oil, the development of diverse cultures, and more. For this project, HC will collaborate with the Colorado State Library (CSL), a long time partner in providing access to Colorado’s newspapers through the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection (CHNC) website.

Associated Products

Colorado Digital Newspaper Project (Blog Post)
Title: Colorado Digital Newspaper Project
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Since History Colorado joined the National Digital Newspaper Project (NDNP) in August 2016, project supervisor Kerry Baldwin and project manager Ann Sneesby-Koch have worked with the project’s advisory board to select titles culled from History Colorado’s collection of more than 1,000 Colorado newspapers on microfilm. Pooling the board’s collective expertise in historic newspaper collections, digitization and Colorado history, we arrived at a working list of 18 titles. By September 2018, 100,000 pages from across these titles will be incorporated into Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov), the fully searchable online database that provides free access to digitized US newspapers produced by the NDNP (a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress).
Date: 12/12/2016
Primary URL: http://www.historycolorado.org/blogs/hc/2016/12/12/extra-extra-18-historic-colorado-newspapers-selected-for-the-library-of-congress-chronicling-america-database/
Primary URL Description: History Colorado Blogs website
Blog Title: Extra! Extra! 18 Historic Colorado Newspapers Selected for the Library of Congress Chronicling America Database
Website: www.historycolorado.org

Azalia Smith Hackley: Musical Prodigy and Pioneering Journalist (Article)
Title: Azalia Smith Hackley: Musical Prodigy and Pioneering Journalist
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Azalia Smith Hackley A musical prodigy made her name as a journalist and activist.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/2018/heritage_wint17-18-web.pdf
Primary URL Description: Web version of the Colorado Heritage Magazine.
Access Model: Available online. Print copies distributed quarterly to History Colorado members, libraries, and institutions of higher learning.
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: Colorado Heritage Magazine
Publisher: History Colorado

Chronicling America--Fresh Content! (Blog Post)
Title: Chronicling America--Fresh Content!
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: In 2016, the Hart Research Library at History Colorado was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to digitize historic Colorado newspapers from the library’s microfilm collection. Since receiving the grant, the Colorado Digital Newspaper Project has digitized and contributed four titles, nearly 18,000 pages so far, to the Library of Congress Chronicling America website.
Date: 03/01/2018
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/story/collections-library/2018/03/01/chronicling-america-fresh-content
Primary URL Description: History Colorado--Discover Colorado--About Colorado--Blogs
Blog Title: Blogs: Chronicling America--Fresh Content!
Website: www.historycolorado.org

Chronicling America--and Denver's African American Past (Blog Post)
Title: Chronicling America--and Denver's African American Past
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: In September 2016, History Colorado started work on the Colorado Digital Newspaper Project, funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, to digitize 20 historic Colorado newspapers. Our first title, the Statesman, which later became the Denver Star, is now available—for free—on the Library of Congress Chronicling America website.
Date: 10/31/2017
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/story/collections-library/2017/10/31/chronicling-america-and-denvers-african-american-past
Primary URL Description: History Colorado--Story--Collections-Library
Blog Title: Story: Chronicling America-and Denver's African American Past
Website: www.historycolorado.org

"Some Freak Bills"--Reel News: Yesterday's News Today (Blog Post)
Title: "Some Freak Bills"--Reel News: Yesterday's News Today
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Transcription of newspaper article published in the Lamar Register, June 26, 1897 describing unusual legislation. The Larmar Register is one of the 19 titles selected by the Colorado Digital Newspaper Project to be included in Chronicling America.
Date: 05/31/2017
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/story/collections-library/2017/05/31/some-freak-bills-reel-news-yesterdays-news-today
Primary URL Description: History Colorado--Story--Collections-Library--Some Freak Bills...
Blog Title: Story: “Some Freak Bills” - Reel News: Yesterday’s News Today
Website: www.historycolorado.org

“Fashions in Montana” - Reel News: Yesterday’s News Today (Blog Post)
Title: “Fashions in Montana” - Reel News: Yesterday’s News Today
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Transcription of an article detailing fashions in Montana published in the Bent County Register, July 2, 1887. The title is one of 19 chosen by the Colorado Digital Newspaper Project to be included in Chronicling America.
Date: 05/08/2017
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/story/collections-library/2017/05/08/fashions-montana-reel-news-yesterdays-news-today
Primary URL Description: History Colorado--Story--Collections-Library--Fashions Montana Reel News...
Blog Title: Story: “Fashions in Montana” - Reel News: Yesterday’s News Today
Website: www.historycolorado.org

Azalia Smith Hackley: Musical Prodigy and Pioneering Journalist (Blog Post)
Title: Azalia Smith Hackley: Musical Prodigy and Pioneering Journalist
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting Emma Azalia Smith Hackley, a former resident of Denver and co-editor of the newspaper the Statesman. The Statesman, which later became The Denver Star, will be the first of 18 titles History Colorado is digitizing to add to the Library of Congress Chronicling America database.
Date: 03/27/2017
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/story/collections-library/2017/03/27/azalia-smith-hackley-musical-prodigy-and-pioneering-journalist
Primary URL Description: History Colorado--Story--Collections-Library--Azalia Smith Hackley Musical Prodigy...
Blog Title: Story: Azalia Smith Hackley—Musical Prodigy and Pioneering Journalist
Website: www.historycolorado.org

"Bloomer Girls" Baseball (Blog Post)
Title: "Bloomer Girls" Baseball
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Before A League Of Their Own, there were "Bloomer Girls" baseball teams that barnstormed the United States from 1890s to 1934, playing local town, semi-pro, and minor league men's teams. Bloomer teams, so named after the loose-fitting trousers they wore in the fashion of suffragist Amelia Jenks Bloomer, came from midwestern, southern, and eastern states and were made up of young, single women who earned a living playing baseball in a time when women’s professional options were very limited. Bloomer Girls traveled across the country, across states, and town-to-town by rail, bringing with them their own fences, tents, and grandstands.
Date: 05/26/2018
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/story/collections-library/2018/05/26/bloomer-girls-baseball
Primary URL Description: Link to "Bloomer Girls" Baseball story on History Colorado website
Blog Title: History Colorado, Story
Website: History Colorado: Story: Collections-Library

"Bloomer Girls" Baseball (Article)
Title: "Bloomer Girls" Baseball
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Women's teams go barnstorming and find fans in Colorado.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: http://https://www.historycolorado.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2018/Heritage%20Sum%2718-web-Links_edit.pdf
Primary URL Description: Link to PDF version of Colorado Heritage Magazine, Summer 2018
Access Model: Open access, available online
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: Colorado Heritage
Publisher: History Colorado

Colorado's Reel History: The Statesman and Denver Star (Blog Post)
Title: Colorado's Reel History: The Statesman and Denver Star
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: The Statesman acted as a channel through which its readers could “voice their opinions, assert their rights, and demand their due recognition.” The newspaper reported local, church, and society news and events, as well as national stories that would be of particular interest to African Americans residing in the Mountain West. The publication also featured op-eds about interracial marriage, Jim Crow Laws, and segregation.
Date: 03/01/2019
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/story/colorado-voices/2019/03/01/colorados-reel-history-statesman-and-denver-star
Blog Title: Colorado's Reel History: The Statesman and Denver Star
Website: History Colorado Publications: Blog

Colorado’s Reel History: The Chronicle-News (Blog Post)
Title: Colorado’s Reel History: The Chronicle-News
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Our Colorado’s Reel History blog series showcases some of the many newspapers in our collection. This month we feature The Chronicle-News, the Trinidad newspaper that once employed Ina Eloise Young, the first American woman sports editor.
Date: 03/21/2019
Primary URL: http://www.historycolorado.org/story/stuff-history/2019/03/21/colorados-reel-history-chronicle-news
Blog Title: Colorado’s Reel History: The Chronicle-News
Website: History Colorado Publications: Blog

Digitized Colorado Historic Newspapers to Double (Blog Post)
Title: Digitized Colorado Historic Newspapers to Double
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Since 2016, the Colorado Digital Newspaper Project (CDNP) has been digitizing historic newspapers from counties all across the state thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
Date: 05/31/2019
Primary URL: http://https://www.historycolorado.org/story/stuff-history/2019/05/31/digitized-colorado-historic-newspapers-double
Blog Title: Forward
Website: History Colorado Publications: Blog

Colorado’s Reel History: The Elk Mountain Pilot (Blog Post)
Title: Colorado’s Reel History: The Elk Mountain Pilot
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Our Colorado’s Reel History blog series showcases some of the many newspapers in our collection. With our Beer Here! exhibit opening next week, we've picked some relevant clippings from The Elk Mountain Pilot. Read on for a short history of the paper!
Date: 05/10/2019
Primary URL: http://https://www.historycolorado.org/story/stuff-history/2019/05/10/colorados-reel-history-elk-mountain-pilot
Blog Title: Forward
Website: History Colorado Publications: Blog

Colorado’s Reel History: Rocky Ford Enterprise (Blog Post)
Title: Colorado’s Reel History: Rocky Ford Enterprise
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Our Colorado’s Reel History blog series showcases some of the many newspapers in our collection. Check out some clippings from the Rocky Ford Enterprise below, then read on for a short history of the paper.
Date: 04/25/2019
Primary URL: http://https://www.historycolorado.org/story/stuff-history/2019/04/25/colorados-reel-history-rocky-ford-enterprise
Blog Title: Forward
Website: History Colorado Publications: Blog

InSights in 5: The Newspaper Collection (Web Resource)
Title: InSights in 5: The Newspaper Collection
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: A virtual introduction of the newspaper collection at the Stephen H. Hart Research Center at History Colorado. Includes history of the collection, what and why we collect, and exciting digital initiatives we’re involved in to bring you yesterday’s news today and preserve Colorado’s stories from today for the future. Presented by Ann Sneesby-Koch, Assistant Curator of Serials at History Colorado and Project Manager of the Colorado Digital Newspaper Project.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNr4Jcf8aKE&list=PLl68fplNJM8Bl7uXr9r5nM1Aii010G0he&index=10&t=163s

Newspapers (Web Resource)
Title: Newspapers
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: Since its founding, History Colorado has been collecting and preserving Colorado history. Among the most significant holdings in the permanent collection are the Colorado newspapers. With statewide reach and statewide representation, History Colorado’s newspapers include publications from each of the state’s 64 counties, preserving the extraordinary history of ordinary people and capturing history in the making.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/newspapers

"Curse of a Nation" (Blog Post)
Title: "Curse of a Nation"
Author: Ann Sneesby-Koch
Abstract: How Denver’s Black newspapers raised the alarm and rallied the resistance against one of Hollywood’s first—and most notoriously racist—blockbusters.
Date: 02/19/2021
Primary URL: https://www.historycolorado.org/story/2021/02/19/curse-nation
Blog Title: “Curse of a Nation": Denver Black Newspapers Respond to the Debut of “Birth of a Nation”
Website: historycolorado.org

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