Old Words, New Lessons: Helping Students Navigate the Language of the Past Community newspapers serve as a treasure trove of information, encapsulating the essence of a period in the past. They often document everyday life and local events, making history feel more relevant and accessible to students. National and international news can be contextualized through […]
Read All About Advantage Archives
At Advantage Archives we work hard to build strong, community-based partnerships to provide free online access to local history, making it discoverable and easily accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time, on any device. This access allows communities to understand and connect to their past in a meaningful way.
Through these partnerships, we provide the community the means to explore, discover, learn from, connect with, and share the stories of the people, places, and events that shaped their community.
The Community History Archives are intended to serve as a “portal to the past”, allowing local primary source documents to give an accounting of history as told by the individuals that witnessed it.
Bringing History to Life: Integrating Historical Newspaper Research in the Classroom
Bringing History to Life: Integrating Historical Newspaper Research in the Classroom In an era where we compete with digital screens for our children’s attention, keeping them engaged can at times be a challenge. The teaching of history in elementary, middle, and high schools is challenging enough, and student engagement can be a complex puzzle to […]
Enriching Your Archive with Yearbooks for Research and Genealogy
Enriching Your Archive with Yearbooks for Research and Genealogy The Benefits of Digitizing Yearbooks Yearbooks are a window into the past of your community. More than any other material, they offer a snapshot of what life was like at a particular time or moment, on a local level. They open the door to a familiar […]
Spotlight: The Vernon Parish Library
The Vernon Parish archive contains a wide variety of content, including yearbooks, newspapers, football history, and more. Established in 1871, Vernon Parish is steeped in history, its story intertwined with the tales of Native American tribes, European explorers, and resilient settlers who called this land home. Nestled within the boundaries of the former “No Man’s […]
This Day in History: Norway Tigers’ Triumphant Finale – The Real Story Behind “The Final Season”
This Day in History: Norway Tigers’ Triumphant Finale The Real Story Behind “The Final Season” Norway, a small town in Iowa, was renowned for baseball. Since the early 20th century, baseball was woven into the town’s identity. It was more than just a sport; it was a community bonding activity, a source of pride and […]
Partnership Team Spotlight: Grant Kaestner
When you work with Advantage Archives, you get more than just a company or a single person working with you; you get our whole Partnership Team. We believe it is important to work together to be the best possible partner. Doing so ensures that you’re getting the best of all of us, and in return, […]
Spotlight: The Hall County Historical Society (NE)
An Institution Anchored in the Past, Guiding the Future. The Digitial Archives of The Hall County (NE) Historical Society contains a wide variety of content ranging from 1870-2020. Hall County Nebraska Historical Society, an established custodian of local history, continues its legacy through the creation of the comprehensive Hall County Community History Archive. This remarkable […]
Partnership Team Spotlight: Larry Eckhardt
When you work with Advantage Archives, you get more than just a company, or a single person working with you, you get our whole Partnership Team. We believe it is important to work together to be the best possible partner. Doing so ensures that you’re getting the best of all of us, and in return, […]
Engaging Communities Through Online Archives of Historical Newspapers
Engaging Communities Through Online Archives of Historical Newspapers Historical newspapers are essential to our cultural heritage, encapsulating the social, economic, and political nuances of different time periods. As we advance in the digital age, many newspapers have been digitized and made available to communities for free online via search platforms like the Community History Archives. […]
Unearthing the Distinction: Graveyards vs. Cemeteries
Genealogy has been an important pursuit for centuries. One of the key sources for genealogy research has been church records, which often include information on births, marriages, and deaths. These records have been critical in helping people trace their family histories and understand their place in the world.
Spotlight: The Catholic Globe
The Community History Archives of The Catholic Globe contains nearly 40,000 historical pages from 1949-2020. The Catholic Globe is a weekly newspaper based in Sioux City, Iowa, that serves the Catholic community of the Diocese of Sioux City. The newspaper was founded in 1933 by Bishop Edmond Heelan, and it has been a reliable source […]
Church Records: The Importance of Access
Genealogy has been an important pursuit for centuries. One of the key sources for genealogy research has been church records, which often include information on births, marriages, and deaths. These records have been critical in helping people trace their family histories and understand their place in the world.
Remembering a Legend: Reflecting on the Legacy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the Anniversary of His Passing
Remembering FDR, a Visionary Leader April 12th, 1945, marks a significant moment in American history; on this day, the nation mourned the loss of one of its greatest leaders – President Franklin D. Roosevelt. FDR, as he was affectionately known, was a visionary leader who left an indelible mark on the United States, shaping the […]
Spotlight: The National Czech & Slovak Museum
At Advantage Archives, we are proud to have partnered with the National Czech & Slovak Museum on their recent digitization project. The museum, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Czech and Slovak people. With a mission to inspire people from every background to connect […]
Spotlight: The XIT Museum (Dalhart, TX)
The Community History Archive of The XIT Museum contains a vast variety of content, including: newspapers, yearbooks, grave marking, census data, city minutes and much more. Nestled in the picturesque Texas Panhandle, Dalhart is a town steeped in history, and the XIT Museum is at the heart of preserving and showcasing its heritage. With a […]
Historical Resource Development Program Grants (HRDP)
HRDP Grants Iowa is a state rich in history. The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA) recognizes the importance of preserving and promoting that history through its Historical Resource Development Program (HRDP). The program provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and individuals who are dedicated to preserving and promoting Iowa’s historical resources. The […]
Spotlight: The Marion Public Library
The Community History Archives of The Marion Public Library contains a vast variety of content, including newspapers, directories, and abstracts from records of undertakers and embalmers. The archive is one of the most diverse collections Advantage has had the privilege to digitize. Marion, Iowa has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the […]
This Day In History: March 24th, 1989 – The Exxon Valdez
On March 24th, 1989, the Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker owned by Exxon Shipping Company, ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, causing one of the worst environmental disasters in history. The tanker, which was carrying over 53 million gallons of crude oil, struck a reef and spilled approximately 11 million gallons of oil into […]
