Virginia Digital Newspaper Program, 2024-2026

FAIN: PJ-301177-24

Library of Virginia Foundation (Richmond, VA 23219-1905)
Kelley Ewing (Project Director: January 2024 to present)

Digitization of 100,000 pages of Virginia newspapers with a focus on African American and German-language newspapers, as well as a selection of nineteenth-century agricultural newspapers and weeklies published in Virginia’s Eastern Shore and southwest region.

For the 2024-2026 grant cycle, the Library will digitize from film 100,000 pages of historical Virginia imprint newspapers dating from 1860-1963 that will focus on expanding the African American and German language Virginia newspapers already available on Chronicling America as well as a selection of nineteenth century agricultural newspapers and weeklies published in Virginia’s Eastern Shore and Southwest. With coverage spanning 1860-1963, the selected newspapers speak on a range of pivotal topics, including both World Wars, the rise of anti-Semitism, civil rights movement, and much more. The Library submits this request as a mature project partner based on its many years of experience with archival-quality microfilm, robust digital collections, information technology, the U.S. Newspaper Program, and project partnerships with institutions and publishers.