The Wheeling Intelligencer named Historic Site in journalism

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7/21/2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7/21/15

Contacts: Abbi Martzall, SPJ Awards Coordinator, (317) 920-4791, amartzall@spj.org
Maggie LaMar, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (317) 920-4785, mlamar@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists has named the Wheeling Intelligencer a National Historic Site in Journalism.

Since 1942, the Society has honored the people and places that have played important roles in the history of journalism through the Historic Sites program. Some honorees include: The city of Boston; and Freedom’s Journal, the first Black newspaper published in the United States.

The Wheeling Intelligencer in Wheeling, W.Va., is described by the Encyclopedia West Virginia Online as “West Virginia’s oldest, continuously published daily newspaper.

The Wheeling Intelligencer has been associated with many historical events. The call for Abraham Lincoln to run for president was led by the Wheeling Intelligencer. The paper strongly opposed the secession of Virginia during the Civil War and supported the creation of West Virginia. U.S. Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy gave his speech that launched his red scare in Wheeling, W.Va.

A bronze plaque will be placed at the Wheeling Intelligencer to distinguish it as a National Historic Site in Journalism. See a complete list of past winners here.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information on SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.

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