VCU Department of History

Great work Haylee!

"Meet Haylee Ziegler, an intern working with the Virginia Newspaper Program to collect, inventory and catalog newspapers from across Virginia. Ziegler is pursuing her graduate certificate at Virginia Commonwealth University in public history..."

VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

We’re celebrating our summer interns this week in honor of on Thursday! Meet Haylee Ziegler, an intern working with the Virginia Newspaper Program to collect, inventory and catalog newspapers from across Virginia. Ziegler is pursuing her graduate certificate at Virginia Commonwealth University in public history after receiving her bachelor’s degrees in art and English with a minor in art therapy at Warren Wilson College.

"Despite my interest in historical archival preservation, I hadn’t really considered newspapers in my scope. Since starting with the Virginia Newspaper Program at the Library, I have a new appreciation for what we as historians can glean from these papers, and a deeper understanding of the complexities in preserving these often brittle, mass produced, ephemeric papers.

This internship has solidified my desire to pursue a career in archival studies. It has guided me to feel more comfortable and open in handling different archival materials and has brought me a sense of fulfillment in contributing to a larger mission to preserve history.”

The Library's internship programs offer college students experience in the library, archives and public history fields and aim to inspire consideration of careers in these areas. Learn more at https://www.lva.virginia.gov/about/careers/internships.

SHEAR2026 Presidential Address with President Carolyn Eastman on "What They Talked About When They Talked About Demagogues in the Early American Republic" is available to watch on YouTube!

SHEAR 2026 Presidential Address SHEAR2026 Presidential Address with President Carolyn Eastman on "W...

SHEAR2026 Presidential Address with President Carolyn Eastman on "What They Talked About When They Talked About Demagogues in the Early American Republic" available to watch on YouTube!

SHEAR 2026 Presidential Address SHEAR2026 Presidential Address with President Carolyn Eastman on "W...

What can you do with a B.A. in history? The American Historical Association highlights data and insights from the second edition of their popular Careers for History Majors guide.

“We Hold These Truths . . .” by Charles McGuigan NorthoftheJames features incredible insights from VCU history professors, Ryan Smith, Michael Dickinson, Greg Smithers and Carolyn Eastman about the American Revolution, the declaration of independence and the impact of this time in history, then and now.

“I challenge people to go through Washington's writings and find me one time that he talks about Jesus,” he says. “He just doesn't do it.” - Ryan Smith, Ph.D.

“We see these cycles happen throughout American history,” says Michael. “We have these very real cycles of conservatism and of progressivism. It's not an accident that these things happen.” -Michael Dickinson, Ph.D.

“The Blue Ridge and all those waterways become akin to killing fields. There are reports of rivers and creeks just flowing red with blood. The dead bodies of Cherokee warriors and their families are everywhere. Storage facilities with corn are burnt down and council houses are set on fire. Fields are dug up. It was a horrific time.” - Greg Smithers, Ph.D.

“It's the members of the Continental Congress laying out the rationale for an incredibly difficult decision, which was to declare independence from a country that until six months previously, virtually nobody could have imagined." Carolyn Eastman, Ph.D.

Read more https://northofthejames.com/we-hold-these-truths

NORTH of the JAMES' July cover story-- "We Hold These Truths . . ." the inside story of our founding document from four noted historians, all professors at VCU who are experts in that period of American history that saw the birth of this nation.

Hard copies available at independently owned businesses and public libraries north of the James River. Our monthly magazine is also home-delivered by our carriers to every household in Bellevue, Ginter Park, Laburnum Park, Sherwood Park, Rosedale and Bryan Park.

https://northofthejames.com/we-hold-these-truths