Newspapers – The UncommonWealth

Peggy Vahle and her Poodle Poo on America’s Bikecentennial

In 1976, Peggy Vahle rode her bicycle across the country, accompanied by her poodle, Poo, sitting in a handlebar bag. Before beginning her trip, a…

Guest ContributorJune 22, 2026

Digital Projects Newspapers

“The American Style of Life”

The contiguous 48 states have always been in awe of the Hawaiian Islands. Virginia yearbooks are full of prom themes like “Hawaiian Sunset,” “Island Paradise,”…

Jessi BennettMay 20, 2026

Newspapers

Read All About It, New to Virginia Chronicle!

Fantastic new titles from throughout the state have recently been added to Virginia Chronicle, but before diving into the newly digitized Virginia newspapers, a shoutout…

Kelley EwingMay 8, 2026

Archives Manuscripts & Special Collections Newspapers

2026 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Library of Virginia!

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, out of the 331,449,281 people who reside in the United States, 7.5%—or 24,897,495—people in the United States identify as…

Cara GriggsMay 4, 2026

Archives Newspapers

There’s Blood in the Salad Part II: The Clean Up

Editor's Note: This is part two of a two-part series. You can read the first part here. This case was grueling. What started as a…

Mary Ann Mason, They/ThemMarch 25, 2026

Newspapers

New News!: Virginia Chronicle Updates

As the page count on Virginia Chronicle approaches seven million, the already wide array of digitized newspapers available continues to grow. This month, over 310,000…

Kelley EwingMarch 11, 2026

Archives Education & Programming Newspapers

Looking Back to Move Forward: Dr. Carter Woodson and the Commemoration of Black History

February 2026 marks the centennial of the first Negro History Week, established by Carter Godwin Woodson. The son of formerly enslaved parents, Woodson was born…

Library of VirginiaFebruary 11, 2026

Archives Newspapers

There’s Blood in the Salad

I was sitting in my office indexing coroners’ inquisitions as I do most days. My badge hung heavily around my neck. I could feel the…

Mary Ann Mason, They/ThemJanuary 28, 2026

Newspapers

“Columbia’s Roll Call”: Hampton Institute’s 1892 Pageant & the Native American Struggle for Citizenship

When I first arrived at the Library of Virginia for my summer internship in public history, I was given two projects: to write a biography…

Jessica VigilJanuary 5, 2026

Newspapers

Breaking [Old] News!

With nearly fifty titles recently added to Virginia Chronicle, there is a wealth of new historical newspaper content to explore. Community weeklies and dailies; military,…

Kelley EwingDecember 10, 2025

Digital Projects Newspapers

“Radford is Boomingest Town in Virginia”

In 1940, the U.S. government contracted the Hercules Powder Company to build a massive manufacturing plant in the New River Valley, just outside Radford, Virginia.…

Lauren CaravatiDecember 3, 2025

Education & Programming Newspapers

The Legend of Chessie

While the Loch Ness Monster lives in Scotland, the Chesapeake Bay has its own legendary creature: Chessie. The story can be followed through the Rappahannock…

Casey ClaubergNovember 26, 2025

Digital Projects Newspapers

6,000,000 Pages and Counting: New Titles on Virginia Chronicle

October 5-11 is National Newspaper Week, the perfect time to highlight new titles available on Virginia Chronicle, the Library of Virginia’s freely accessible, fully searchable…

Kelley EwingOctober 6, 2025

Archives Education & Programming Manuscripts & Special Collections Newspapers The Stacks

Happy Virginia Archives Month 2025!

Everyone knows that October is spooky season– a time for campfires, warm cider donuts, and Archives Month! This year, archives and special collections from around…

Vince BrooksOctober 1, 2025

Archives Newspapers

“A Rumbling Disagreeable Noise:” Complaints about Bowling in Alleghany County

Imagine your local bowling alley. The sound of a heavy ball hitting the floor just before the bounce of the pins hitting the floor. The…

Jennifer TaylorSeptember 10, 2025