ESSEX, Vt. — A Vermont historian and prolific collector will begin a weekly column recounting the state's past in three regional newspapers this year, part of local coverage tied to the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Local historian to contribute weekly pieces through 2026
J. Kevin Graffagnino, who lives in Essex and has spent his career working in libraries, special collections and historical organizations, will produce a weekly column that will appear in The Times Argus, Rutland Herald and The World through 2026. The series is part of the broader commemoration of 250 years of national history.
Graffagnino’s background includes degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels in history. He has taught and lectured on topics in U.S. and Vermont history, and his professional experience includes positions with the Vermont Historical Society and the University of Vermont Library Special Collections. He is also the author of multiple history books, including Vermontiana.
"Vermont tastes in poetry vary."
The column will examine facets of Vermont’s cultural and historical record. Early indications suggest the pieces will run a range of topics, from literary tastes and local authors to archival holdings and regional recollections — material drawn from Graffagnino’s decades of work as a historian and collector.
What readers can expect
Graffagnino’s previous work has combined scholarly research with a collector’s eye, bringing attention to sometimes-overlooked corners of state history. Readers of the weekly series can anticipate:
- Explorations of Vermont literature and cultural life.
- Contextual essays drawing on archival materials and historical collections.
- Profiles of people and places that shaped the state’s past.
While the column’s full run will extend through 2026, individual topics and the exact publication schedule will be set by the participating newspapers. The collaboration places Graffagnino’s writing in three different regional outlets, increasing reach across central and northern Vermont.
Experience rooted in institutions and scholarship
Graffagnino’s career has bridged public history and academic settings. He has held roles in libraries and special collections and worked with historical societies, providing direct access to primary documents and rare materials. That background is likely to shape the column’s emphasis on archival sources and the tangible artifacts that tell Vermont’s story.
The broader semiquincentennial observance has prompted events and programming nationwide. In Vermont, the series of weekly historical columns will be one of several local initiatives meant to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States by highlighting state-level narratives and primary materials.
Why this matters locally
Community newspaper readers often rely on locally produced essays and columns to connect contemporary life with historical roots. By placing a trained historian and collector in a recurring spot in regional papers, the initiative aims to make archival knowledge accessible to a general audience and to stimulate interest in Vermont’s cultural record.
Graffagnino’s work has previously spotlighted a wide swath of state history. His authorship of books such as Vermontiana and his long involvement with historical institutions give him an evidentiary base for regular columns that will draw on original documents, objects and local memory.
Quick facts
| Contributor | J. Kevin Graffagnino |
|---|---|
| Residence | Essex, Vermont |
| Publications | The Times Argus, Rutland Herald, The World |
| Duration | Weekly, through 2026 |
Readers interested in Vermont’s past can watch for the first installment in the series in the participating newspapers and expect a mix of essays, historical anecdotes and references to archival collections drawn from Graffagnino’s years of work. As the semiquincentennial observance proceeds, the weekly column will be one local vehicle for remembering and interpreting the state’s role in broader national history.
Elliot Vance is state correspondent at WE NEWS.
