Historical Newspapers
Access to Newspapers
The library's local historical papers are available on microfilm, but there is easier access through a searchable archive of Vermont Historical Newspapers from Newspapers.com. This archive, made available by the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, is free to all Vermonters who create a free myvermont.gov account. Out-of-state visitors who would like to consult this archive should check with a reference librarian for assistance.
Many early (pre-1922) Vermont papers, including Brattleboro's Vermont Phoenix and Windham County Democrat, are also accessible through the Chronicling America website at the Library of Congress in cooperation with the Vermont Digital Newspaper Project. Chroncling America has some different search features and is free to all, in Vermont and beyond. It also includes papers from communities all over the United States.
Some notable Brattleboro Newspapers
Brattleboro Reformer, 1876-current
The Reformer is available in the Vermont Historical Newspapers archive, and the library has a full run on microfilm, from the paper's beginnings to the current day. Also, many Local History files contain clippings from the Reformer, so it's worth searching your subject by keyword in our catalog. A reference librarian will be happy to help with your subject search.
The library also subscribes to an online archive of recent Reformer articles (2003-current); see our News and Current Events section for more information.
Vermont Phoenix, 1835-1955
Many years of the Vermont Phoenix (1836-1922) are accessible through Chronicling America at the Library of Congress, and there's a full run (through 1955) in the Vermont Historical Newspapers database. The library also has a full run on microfilm.
Other early newspapers
Several issues of the Windham County Democrat, edited by the influential feminist author Clarina Howard Nichols, are digitized and accessible through the Chronicling America website. Scattered issues from other early papers, such as the Vermont Record and Farmer and the Semi-Weekly Eagle, are available on microfilm.
Neighboring towns
As a major town in southeast Vermont, Brattleboro's newspapers often include news from surrounding towns, including Guilford, Dummerston, Newfane, Vernon, Putney, Bellows Falls, and others. These communities also have their own libraries and historical societies, so check with them as well for a comprehensive search.
See our News and Current Events section for information on current newspapers in Brattleboro, throughout the U.S., and abroad.