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Current Richmond & Washington, D.C. News Resources
Major newspapers that require your UR account to access:
- Richmond Times-Dispatch (1903-present) This link opens in a new windowSearch the complete archives of the Richmond Times-Dispatch from its inception in 1903. PDF scans are available from 1903-present and transcriptions of individual articles are available from 1985-present. (Newsbank/Readex)
- Washington Post (Website) This link opens in a new window*Follow these instructions to create an account with your Richmond email address. Read articles published on Washingonpost.com. Note: You must both verify your email address and activate your subscription after creating your account. If you do not see your account name, try disabling all ad blockers in your browser. (Washington Post)
Other local newspapers that are available freely online:
- Richmond Free PressLocal news publication
- Richmond MagazineMonthly publication includes feature stories, especially guides to restaurants, influential professionals, earnings, places to work, etc.
- Style WeeklyLocal news and features, entertainment and cultural calendars, restaurant listings, reviews, menu guides, classifieds, and personals.
- Virginia MercuryThe Virginia Mercury is an independent, nonprofit online news organization covering state government and policy.
Historical Richmond Newspapers
The current Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper was formed in 1903 from the merger of two papers - The Times and The Dispatch. These newspapers went through multiple title changes post-Civil War. Listed below are each of those titles and what is available online:
Richmond Dispatch (1884-1903)
- Library of Congress: July 1884 - Jan. 1903
The Daily Dispatch (1850-1884)
- Library of Congress: Jan. 1852 - June 1884
- University of Richmond: Nov. 1860 - Dec. 1865
The Times (1890-1903)
- Library of Congress: Jan. 1890 - Jan. 1903
The Daily Times (1886-1889)
- Library of Congress: Oct. 1886 - Dec. 1889
The Library of Congress has digitized many other Virginia newspapers on their website.
Of note is the Richmond Planet, which was founded by 13 former slaves and first published in 1882. By 1904, it had reached a weekly circulation of 4,200 and gained a reputation as a staunch defender of the African-American community and a voice against racial injustice - "daring to hurl thunderbolts of truth into the ranks of the wicked...No stronger race man is known among us." (Description on Chronicling America site, information provided by Library of Virginia). The Library of Congress has Feb. 1885 - Dec. 1930 on their website.