Forsyth County’s newspaper history began in the first week of January 1829, when John Christian Blum and an itinerant printer by the name of H.S. Noble struck off the first copies of The Weekly Gleaner on a second-hand press in Salem. Blum had tried to launch the paper in 1827, but the city fathers didn’t approve, fearing that a paper “might have various unpleasant results for local individuals, for the congregation town, and for the Unity (church) itself. . .”: A year and a half later Blum finally got the go-ahead. In the 189 years since, Forsyth has seen scores of newspapers come and go.
Jim Laughrun, a retired managing editor of the Winston Salem Journal, has compiled brief histories of many of Forsyth County's newspapers dating back to 1929. At this free program sponsored by the Walkertown Area Historical Society, he will discuss those papers and the people who made them tick. Mr. Laughrun will also provide information on what papers are available on microfilm as well as on a growing number of digital platforms.
This free program is sponsored by the Walkertown Area Historical Society.
Call (336) 703-2990 for more information.
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