I work by day for our local newspaper that has been around for over 220 years. I have always been fascinated with the history of The Keene Sentinel, which was called “Newhampshire Sentinel” when first published in 1799. In fact, it is one of the five oldest continuously published news papers in the country. It was originally published weekly, and cost $1.50 to subscribe annually. In 1890 it began a publishing daily with The Keene Evening Sentinel. Now The Keene Sentinel is published 6 days a week and serves several towns in the Monadnock Region.

What fascinates me the most are the colorful stories in the early days of The Sentinel and the interesting and albeit not very “pc” advertising then. I can really see that we’ve grown in many ways when it comes to acceptance in race, religion, sexual orientation and general equality. I know we have a lot more work to do in that department, but let’s just say I cannot believe some of the things that have been published in the past.

There are also a lot of boring articles. There is a lot of information of a young democracy starting off that I am sure is very valuable, but keeps me nodding off most of the time. One interesting fact is that The Keene Sentinel has reported on every president in some capacity. John Adams was president when the New Hampshire Sentinel started publishing. However, it did report on George Washington’s death in December of 1799. He died of an infection of the throat!

In closing, I created this blog to share the interesting stories or ads I find as I peruse through the old editions of The Keene Sentinel. It probably won’t be limited to just this paper, but it’s where I am starting. Just a historical nut wanting something to do. I hope you enjoy it!