Van Horn Public Library and Zumbrota Public Library have received a $15,000 grant from the Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation in Rochester to digitize area newspapers published from 1882 to 1922. Previously, the newspapers were only accessible on microfilm through the historical societies in each city. The digitization is now complete and this content is included in the Minnesota Historical Society’s statewide digital newspaper database (Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub).  This will make these records of historical value more easily accessible to a wider audience. To access the Newspaper Hub, please visit http://newspapers.mnhs.org/

The newspapers that are part of the project include the Pine Island Journal from 1882-1891, The News (Zumbrota) from 1885-1890, and the Pine Island Record from 1891-1922. The News from July 25, 1890 to July 29, 1892 and the The Zumbrota News from August 5, 1892 to December 29, 1922 were already digitized through a SELCO digitization project. Issues from 1923 to the present are still under copyright and not eligible for digitization by the Minnesota Historical Society.

In addition to the Schmidt Foundation grant, $1000 has been donated by the Pine Island Historical Society towards the project as well as a donation from the News-Record. The Libraries are still short $2110.00 of the total cost of the project and would welcome any financial donations from residents, former residents, businesses or organizations in the area. If you are able to help, please contact Morgan (mkhansen@selco.info or 356-8558).