Before you start searching, think about what region makes the most sense to research for your historian/cultural preservationist. If they are based in Luray, it might make less sense to look at a newspaper based in Waynesboro than it would a Winchester newspaper.
Also, take the time to look at the search tips found here to give you an idea of how to leverage Google's search algorithms for this assignment.
If you have questions about this kind of research, please feel free to reach out to me at research@bridgewater.edu.