Newspaper Archives Get A New Home

I am pleased to announce that more than a century of Valley County History is now available for public perusal at the Valley County Pioneer Museum.

After the original Courier building was damaged beyond repair not too long ago, quick decisions had to be made about what to do with the many volumes of old newspapers which had meticulously documented Valley County since the early 20th Century. The collection also includes other publications in Valley County which no longer exist.

It is quite the treasure trove.

Curious about what was happening during the Spanish Flu pandemic 100-years-ago?

You can find out at the Pioneer museum.

Curious about what the elders of Valley County were facing during the Great Depression and World War II?

You can find out at the Pioneer museum.

How about during the Vietnam Era?

That too.

Is there someone you haven't seen or heard of in 50 years?

Chances are their story lives on in the old yellow pages of newsprint now living in perpetuity at the museum.

Back to what to do with this large collection after the old building became inhabitable...

My predecessor contacted Megan Haddix at the Glasgow City-County Library, and they were very gracious in offering space to store the precious documents in their basement. The volumes lived there until very recently.

I was contacted a few months back by members of the museum board who were eager to find a new home for the volumes at the museum.

I was very interested as I knew the little army of museum volunteers would carefully curate and store the historic papers, just about guaranteeing they will be around for the many generations of Valley County residents yet to come.

This is of great benefit to the public, too, because they can ask volunteers at the museum for help finding specific topics or dates. And, the volunteers will wear gloves to help preserve the papers by preventing hand oils from getting on the old pages (some are already turning into dust).

The museum coordinated with myself and the library to pick up the old archives, of which there were many. Enough to fill an entire trailer!

I showed up at the agreed upon time two Saturdays ago, and was met with quite the sight.

You see, the entire Glasgow High School Football team had volunteered to help move the heavy volumes.

My hat is off to you boys. Your help sure did make the moving process easier.

Glasgow should be proud its latest crop of soon to be adults is involved in making the community a better place.

And now, they too are a part of the proud history of Valley County.

Newspapers, you see, are on the front lines of history. Long before history books are penned, it is the reporters, photographers and freelance writers who jot down history in the making. I have always thought doing so was a great honor and privilege.

It is my hope the archives last for centuries to come, long after everyone reading this today is pushing up daisies.

Who knows, someone could still be learning our story come 2221. That is a form of immortality, to be certain.

My very special thanks to Megan Haddix, everyone at the museum who helped make this possible, and to the Scottie Football team.

Now, back to the front lines of history...