What's in the collection?
In 2020, The News-Gazette reached out to local organizations for recommendations for rehousing their library and archival materials. The Champaign County Historical Archives, part of The Urbana Free Library, received the portion of The News-Gazette collection that contained research materials and archival documents. Many artifacts, including a collection of paintings made by Marajen, now live at the Champaign County History Museum. Since acquiring The News-Gazette's archives, staff and volunteers have been working to make the hundreds of boxes of material accessible to researchers.
The News-Gazette collection contains more than 1000 cubic feet of boxes. The materials are being safely housed in extra archival storage space in Lincoln Square Mall. Because the materials are not here in the Library building, retrieval takes extra time. If you would like to view something from The News-Gazette collection, please give Archives staff 48 hours' notice.
Well, how much is 1000 cubic feet of boxes? Take a look at the space the News-Gazette Collection takes up.
Subject Files
The News-Gazette began officially archiving articles in 1945, though the earliest clippings date all the way back to 1929, just ten years after the paper's founding. After printing, The News-Gazette organized their published articles by subject. Each article was clipped and sorted into small envelopes like the one seen here, and arranged alphabetically. Topics included are of national and international importance, as well as local events. An index to the subject files in available on our website, and some of the clippings have been digitized and are available to view online. Click on these links to explore the clippings!
Photographs
The News-Gazette maintained photograph files on locals, celebrities, and local events. These photographs have not been processed, but can be searched by staff on request.
Stevick Family Archival Materials
The Stevick Family materials include correspondence, photographs, and personal records. Marajen's photographs document her extensive travel, social life, and adoration of her many dogs. Correspondence between Marajen and her mother provide a record of her busy schedule, and her travel between Champaign, California, and Italy. The collection also includes business correspondence.
Smaller County Newspapers
The News-Gazette produced newspapers for smaller towns in Champaign County. The collection contains several smaller papers from surrounding areas. Included are the County Star, the Savor Star, and even some issues of the Vermilion Weekly Gazette.
The Champaign County History Museum at the Historic Cattle Bank also has a large Stevick Family Collection. Read more about this collection at Museum Accepts Major Stevick Family Collection (champaigncountyhistory.org).
The Champaign County History Museum at the Historic Cattle Bank has an exhibit on the paintings of Marajen Stevick Chinigo available at Inspirato da Torre di Civita: The Paintings of Marajen Stevick Chinigo · Champaign County History Museum Digital Exhibits (omeka.net).