Daily Hampshire Gazette: A Legacy of New England Journalism
Established in the late 18th century, the Daily Hampshire Gazette stands as one of the oldest newspapers in the United States. From its early reports on Shays' Rebellion to its transition into the digital age, the publication has served as a cornerstone of information for the Northampton region and beyond.
Key Facts
- Founded: September 6, 1786.
- Family Ownership: Owned by the DeRose family from 1929 until 2005.
- Digital Pioneer: Early adopter of the internet with the launch of gazettenet.com.
- Current Parent Company: Newspapers of New England.
- Publication Shift: Transitioned to a six-day morning publication schedule in September 2006.
The DeRose Era and Modernization
For over seven decades, the DeRose family steered the Gazette. Harriet Williams DeRose purchased the paper in 1929, establishing a family legacy that continued through her son, Charles N. DeRose, and later his sons, Peter L. DeRose and Charles W. DeRose. Peter became co-publisher following his father's death in 1970.
Under the leadership of Peter and Charles W. DeRose, the newspaper underwent significant modernization. This included relocating the offices to a contemporary facility on Conz Street, just outside downtown Northampton. The brothers were also recognized for their fair treatment of employees and for pioneering the publication's online presence via gazettenet.com.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Evolution of Distribution and Ownership
The Gazette originally operated as an afternoon newspaper. As reader demographics shifted, the paper gradually moved its publication time earlier. While the Saturday edition switched to morning delivery in the early 1970s, weekday morning delivery was resisted for decades. By the time of its sale, newsstands had copies by 11:30 a.m., though home subscribers still received their papers in the mid-afternoon via delivery by schoolchildren.
In 2005, the DeRose family sold the paper to Newspapers of New England for an undisclosed sum, as no younger family members were available to take over the business. Under this new management, the Gazette officially transitioned to a six-day morning publication cycle in September 2006 to better compete with the Springfield Republican.
Expansion and Industry Shifts
The landscape of local media continued to shift in late 2007 when Newspapers of New England acquired the Valley Advocate, a competing alternative weekly in Northampton. Previously owned by the Tribune Company (which also owned the Hartford Courant), the Advocate was moved to Northampton while maintaining separate advertising and news staffs. However, by late March 2020, the Valley Advocate ceased its print edition to become an online-only publication.
Recent years have seen significant structural changes. In November 2018, 72 employees from both the Daily Hampshire Gazette and the Valley Advocate formed a union with the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America. Furthermore, in July 2020, Newspapers of New England closed its own printing press (opened in 2007) and outsourced the printing of the Daily Hampshire Gazette, the Amherst Bulletin, and the Greenfield Recorder to an external company.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Gazette Operational Summary
| Year/Period | Event/Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1786 | First Publication | Established as one of the oldest US newspapers. |
| 1929 | DeRose Acquisition | Began long-term family ownership. |
| 2005 | Sale to Newspapers of New England | End of DeRose family ownership. |
| 2006 | Morning Publication Switch | Increased competitiveness with rival dailies. |
| 2020 | Press Closure | Printing moved to an outside company. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Daily Hampshire Gazette first published?
The Gazette was first published on September 6, 1786, and its early content included news regarding Shays' Rebellion.
Who owned the newspaper before 2005?
The newspaper was owned by the DeRose family from 1929 until 2005, starting with Harriet Williams DeRose.
Why did the Gazette switch to morning delivery in 2006?
The switch to a six-day morning publication schedule was made under new management to compete more effectively with the Springfield Republican.
What happened to the Valley Advocate?
After being acquired by Newspapers of New England in 2007, the Valley Advocate eventually stopped its print edition in late March 2020 and transitioned to an online-only format.
Is the Daily Hampshire Gazette still printed in-house?
No. In July 2020, Newspapers of New England shut down its printing press and moved the printing of the Gazette, the Amherst Bulletin, and the Greenfield Recorder to an outside printing company.