PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The archives of several historic Rhode Island newspapers have been digitized and are now freely available for researchers, the Providence Public Library and the Rhode Island Historical Society said.

The newspapers were digitized with the help of a $250,000 grant from the National Digital Newspaper Program and are accessible at the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America site, the organizations said in a statement.

The 9,000 pages now available are part of the historical society’s collection of microfilm reels of 314 Rhode Island newspapers that ceased publication prior to 1923. The grant will allow for digitization of at least 100,000 pages.

The first batch includes pages from the Herald of the Times, which published from 1830 to 1856; the Newport Gazette, which published from 1777 to 1779; and The Pioneer Woman’s Advocate, which published in 1852 and 1853.

The Newport Gazette is now the earliest published newspaper to be included in Chronicling America to date. The paper was published by British forces occupying Newport.

“The newspapers we’re digitizing are among the most valuable resources available for researchers, scholars, and anyone curious about history,” said Jordan Goffin, the library’s Head Curator of Collections.

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