In the wake of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene to the western part of our state, the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center has made an effort to prioritize partnering with cultural heritage institutions—both new and veteran—and materials related to affected areas. Over 250 issues of our newest title, The Avery Herald (Newland, Avery County, N.C.) have been digitized thanks to our newest partner, Avery County Historical Museum.
Located in Newland, North Carolina, the Avery County Historical Museum resides in the former Avery County Jail which was built in 1912. They seek to collect, preserve, and display vital information, photographs, and artifacts about people, events, and places that make up the history of the county and the surrounding areas of the Toe River Valley. For those interested in family genealogies or simply curious about the area’s people and history, the museum has a research room where researchers can view the hundreds of books and papers in their collection—such as the amazing issues of The Avery Herald now on our site.
Ranging from 1940 to 1946, the paper provides a great deal of information about the local community, its residents, and shows how World War II affected their daily lives. There are frequent reminders throughout these issues that stresses the rationing of various materials including paper and metal—like this one (shown above, left) from the June 4, 1942 issue showcasing the direct impact of civilian rationing of brass from decorative lipstick cases to .303 caliber cartridges. Another article (shown above, right), published October 14, 1943, highlights the shift and change in women’s options and opportunities such as joining the armed services, stepping into job positions traditionally seen only as “men’s work” (e.g. factory work), and even fashion. Notably for genealogists and other researchers, the paper published information about the residents in Avery County at the time, as well as the letters, news, and movement of Avery County servicemembers during the war (shown below).
To learn more about the Avery County Historical Museum, visit their contributor page here.
To view more materials from Avery County, including photographs and yearbooks, please click here.
To view more newspapers from across North Carolina, visit our North Carolina Newspapers Collection linked here.
