The Library of Virginia's online historical archive of Virginia newspapers, Virginia Chronicle, provides free access to full text searching and digitized images of over 5 million newspaper pages. These historic newspapers give glimpses into the lives of Virginians from 1736 to 2020, outlining everything from local politics to community happenings to notable moments in American history. You can browse the collection by newspaper title or by date.
Library of Virginia recently notified us that the York Town Crier (1978-2001) and its successor, York Town Crier: The Poquoson Post (2002-2019), have been digitized and added to the collection. Check out the October 11, 1984 York Town Crier, pages B2-B6, and read about the grand opening of the original Yorktown Library in 1984.
Virginia Chronicle is also a great resource for local historians and genealogists. Check out these moments in history:
- You'll find issues of the Virginia Gazette dating back to September 3, 1736.
- The Declaration of Independence is printed In the July 20, 1776, issue on page 2 of the Virginia Gazette.
- Correspondence between General Grant and General Lee about the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia is in the Alexandria Gazette, Volume 66, Number 81, April 10, 1865.
- Read about the assassination of President Lincoln in the Alexandria Gazette, Volume 66, Number 86, April 15, 1865.
Virginia Chronicle is a product of the Virginia Newspaper Program, which works to locate, describe, inventory, preserve, and provide public access to United States imprint newspapers housed at the Library of Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth. Virginia Chronicle contributes images to Chronicling America, the national version of this database.