Those who are members of the smart set like to think they are at the center of things. But Appomattox, a small town in Piedmont Virginia, literally is at the center of Virginia. If you don’t believe us, see the image below. If you’re like me and believe everything you read, then here’s the proof:
Despite the important geographical distinction, few newspapers remain from Appomattox and the Buckingham County region. In fact, it seems they are as rare as hen’s teeth.
But the Library has cleverly managed to pull together a collection of the Appomattox and Buckingham Times (1892-1909) and has made them available online, thanks in large part to a private donation which helped give wings to this initiative. Herein is one recipe for success: a generous donation to the Library of Virginia’s Foundation coupled with Team VNP’s seasoned technical know-how to process in a few short months the pages now present on Virginia Chronicle. As with just about every title found on the database, the titles are fully text searchable and available for text correcting by enthusiastic volunteers.
We cannot thank enough those who participate in what we like to call citizen history.
When you get a chance, please visit Virginia Chronicle to view our select but important collection of issues of the Appomattox and Buckingham Times. And while you’re at it, check out Slate River Ramblings, an engaging blog about life in Buckingham County. Actually life and death. You’ll see what we mean as you fall into engrossing stories involving murder and lawless gangs terrorizing the countryside at the turn of the 20th century.
Well done Team VNP! Earlier days in Buckingham and Appomattox counties are just waiting to be explored. Correspondents write from the most remote areas of both counties, filling the newspaper’s pages with everything from social news to details of horrific crimes. There is so much to enjoy! Thanks, too, for sending interested parties to Slate River Ramblings. There they will find lots of content, fun, and surprises, too.