The Richland Villager

The Richland Villager

From issue no. 1: “Villagers Inc., a non-profit organization open to all residents of Richland and nearby tract homes in the area, was formed here last month for the purpose of ‘providing means for contributing to the welfare, recreation, comfort, entertainment, and education of all persons residing here.’ Operating under the direction of a temporary board of directors and officers, representing all the major groups in the village, Villagers, Inc., is already publishing a weekly newspaper (the first issue of which is in your hands)…” H. Hayden Rector is credited with the idea of a village-wide organization to provide newspaper, library, and other cultural/educational services to Richland. Donald I. Graham Jr., was named the temporary president of Villagers, Inc., in 1945. The newspaper had an initial weekly run as “The Villager” from March 8, 1945 September 13, 1945. The September 20 issue saw a name change to “The Richland Villager” and a larger newsprint format until publication ceased on March 2, 1950, with the final issue in vol V, no. 53. The collection at Hanford History Project goes until December 12, 1949. There is a break in publication and at some point in the 1950s the Richland Villager picked up publication. Hanford History Project Collections start at vol. VI, no. 42 on April 21, 1960 and proceed until May 31, 1963.

Villagers, Inc.

Hanford History Project

1945-1963

RG4I