The New England Newspaper Hall of Fame recognizes the most outstanding newspaper professionals from throughout our six-state region. More than 100 individuals have been singled out over the past 50 years. The talent, hard work, and exceptional accomplishments of these individuals provide inspiration to all New England journalists.
- Nominees should be people who have made extraordinary contributions to their newspaper(s), the newspaper industry and their communities. NENPA membership is not required to be eligible for the award.
- People who have excelled in any area of newspaper operations are eligible — i.e., editorial, advertising, circulation, production, administration.
- You may nominate those still working in the industry as well as those who have retired. Posthumous nominations are also eligible.
To nominate a colleague in honor of his or her professional achievement and lifetime of contributions, please prepare a letter that describes your nominee’s accomplishments and the reasons why you recommend that he/she should be appointed to the Hall of Fame. Be sure to include any supplemental materials, testimonials, etc. that support your nomination.
To nominate a qualified newspaper professional, please email Linda Conway at l.conway@nenpa.com.
The newest members of the New England Newspaper Hall of Fame will be honored at a later date.
John Dennis Harrigan has been an important part of New Hampshire journalism and newspapering, both daily and weekly, for more than a half century and counting. He is the quintessential newsman. He has done it all in various media, often appearing on public television and radio, but most of his world has revolved around newspapers. He is probably best known for working full time for several years at the New Hampshire Sunday News, and he kept writing his column, “Woods, Water & Wildlife,” even long after he left the paper’s employ, continuing the column for a 37-year run, one of the longest-running columns in the state. As publisher of the Coos County Democrat, he founded the weekly direct-mail tabloid, the Northern Beacon. He also purchased and ran a four-unit Goss press producing his newspaper and the newspaper long published by his father, the late Judge Fred Harrigan. His informed, respectful, and often humorous columns have introduced and educated generations of readers to New Hampshire’s outdoor vistas and wildlife.
Julia Wells has devoted her entire professional career to covering her Island community. After moving to Martha’s Vineyard fresh out of Wells College, she joined the New Bedford Standard Times’ two-person bureau in 1973, then worked for the Cape Cod Times when that newspaper eclipsed the Standard Times as the Vineyard’s preferred mainland paper. In 1984, she joined the Vineyard Gazette, where she served as senior reporter for many years before being named editor in 2004. Over more than four decades, Julia has chronicled the Vineyard’s evolution from a quiet backwater where
During 45 years at The Providence Journal, Carol rose from small-town bureau reporter to statewide education reporter, and eventually to deputy executive editor – second in charge of the news department. She was a leader of the Providence Newspaper Guild during a time of labor strife, before becoming the first woman to join the Journal’s management team in 1979. She was a guiding force behind the newspaper’s intern program, serving as a mentor for many who would go on to careers at The Journal and at other publications around the nation. Since retirement, Carol has remained extremely active in the Rhode Island community. She is chairwoman of the board of directors at Inspiring Minds, which provides tutors and mentors for students in the Providence public schools. She is also a member of the advisory council to the president of the University of Rhode Island; and an active volunteer with Leadership Rhode Island, which named her one of the state’s “inspiring leaders’ in 2018.