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Fairfax Newsletter collection, C0414, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries
Given by Chris Barbuschak of the Fairfax County Library Virginia Room to Lynn Eaton on April 10, 2018. Newsletters were given to the Virginia Room by Woody Hinkle, the editor's son.
Processing and finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner from October - November 2023.
Betsy W. Hinkle was born in Pecos, Texas circa 1919. She began work in journalism at the age of 16 as a reporter for the Pecos Enterprise and later worked with newspapers in Abilene, Texas and National City, California. She moved to Springfield, Virginia and began work for the Falls Church Sun Echo in 1949 when her husband, Harry Hinkle, received an assignment from the Navy in the Northern Virginia area. In 1956, she founded the Fairfax Newsletter as a weekly digest of local government activities, with the first edition published on December 31, 1955. Betsy and Harry purchased the Springfield Independent newspaper in 1959 and Betsy purchased the Burke Herald in 1977, one year after Harry's death. Betsy would go on to sell both publications to the Alexandria Gazette Corporation in 1979, but would retain ownership of the Fairfax Newsletter until her death on April 9, 1981 at the age of 62. The Fairfax Newsletter would continue to be published by Betsy's daughter Jane Hinkle through October 29, 1981, when it was announced that the publication had been purchased by reporters Thomas Grubisich and Paul Clancy.
A collection of the Fairfax Newsletter containing local government news and updates covering Fairfax County, Virginia published by editor Betsy Hinkle. Editions were published weekly, with a regular two week break in August. This collection contains editions covering the majority of the newsletter's publication history, starting with the first edition published on December 31, 1955 and ending with the October 29, 1981 edition, the last published under ownership of the Hinkle family. The collection contains several notable gaps in coverage, including the mid-1960s and the majority of the 1970s. Individual missing editions and dating errors are noted at the folder level where present.
The Special Collections Research Center holds other materials related to Fairfax County such as the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area records, and the Dorn McGrath Fairfax County and Loudoun County slide collection.
This collection is arranged in chronological order.
"Betsy W. Hinkle Dies; Former N. Va. Publisher." 1981.The Washington Post (1974-), April 11, 1981. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1981/04/11/betsy-w-hinkle-dies/25bca4c4-07cd-4f28-a7db-3d218e18899d/
Saturday editions. Missing edition February 18. March 17 edition does not have date listed on front page and March 31 edition lists March 21 in error on page five. Folder also contains a handwritten note possibly containing town subscriber number.
Saturday editions. Missing edition September 8. June 30 edition does not have date listed on front page.
Saturday editions. Missing editions May 18 and June 29.
Saturday editions.
Saturday editions. December 5 edition does not have date listed on front page,
Saturday editions. May 14 edition lists May 17 in error on front page.
Saturday editions. July 2 edition lists July 1 in error on first three pages and September 10 edition lists September 17 in error with pen correction on front page.
Saturday editions.
Saturday editions. Missing edition July 15.
Saturday editions. October 7 edition lists October 6 in error on all pages and October 28 edition lists September 28 in error on page five.
Saturday editions. March 2 edition lists March 3 in error on page five.
Saturday editions.
Wednesday editions.
Thursday editions.
Thursday editions.
Thursday editions. February 26 edition lists February 27 in error on all pages after first and April 16 edition contains article about the passing of editor Betsy Hinkle.
Thursday editions. October 29 edition is last published under ownership of the Hinkle family.