Research: THINGS I LEARN FROM OLD NEWSPAPERS

This page from a 1940's Virginia Gazette illustrates the importance of reading newspapers from the time of my story. At first glance, there's the obvious - prices of whole suites of furniture - $ 95. $ 75. $ 55.

(Sigh! I'd like to buy one great piece of vintage furniture for $ 55!)

A closer look provides info that's useful to describe a setting. Perhaps I want my character to scratch his name into the curved wooden arm of a livingroom chair. I don't have to describe the whole living room suite in order to do so but it sure helps to know what kind of furniture was even plausible during the time period. And depending on the context, I might want to quickly throw out a description of an entire room.

What I find really fascinating is the text itself. The manner of advertising

"Coil Spring Chairs & Sofas Have Been Stopped! "
GET IT NOW-OR YOU WON'T GET IT FOR THE DURATION!

(Same screaming message we're used to. Slightly different wording.)

And speaking of words. When was the last time you saw an ad that stated something was "smartly styled" or "very smart suite"?

I'm tweaking my 1940's work-in-progress right now. I don't believe I've used the word "smart" to describe furniture or any other inanimate object. But thanks to a vintage newspaper ad, I have a new context for that word.

Word choice is crucial to setting the tone for a historical piece. And reading old newspapers is an important part of my research process.

That is, if I'm smart.

ON RESEARCH: Old Newspapers

I love reading old newspapers. It still awes me that I can walk into a library in any town, gain access to microfilm machines, read back issues of the local paper, and take home a printout of whatever articles I need.

Yesterday however, at the John D. Rockefeller, Jr Library in Williamsburg, VA I got up-close-and-personal with actual yellowing (bound) copies of the Virginia Gazette from 1942 and 1943.

Be still, my heart!

Newspapers are the ultimate source for much incidental information. A few examples from the Virginia Gazette:

- With money being scarce during WWII, women began crocheting fashion accessories such as gloves and hats. Crocheted tables cloths and children's clothing were also "in".
- During war-time air raid drills, all traffic had to stop. During blackouts, vehicles were allowed to move if they used their parking lights. Blackouts lasted until morning.
- Over 200 Navy recruits per day were given tours of historic Williamsburg to help them gain an appreciation for their heritage and the cause they’d be fighting for.
- 96 cents out of every government dollar was spent on the war effort.
- Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg got very little coverage in the local press. (at least not until conscientious objectors who worked there advocated for improvements in patient care)

I also learned what new furniture was selling for in 1943.