Aimee Huntington Woodworth: a legacy of women in journalism

Near the end of the 19th Century, there was much interest in the development of newspapers in the West Cornwallis area of Kings County.

In 1891, a well-known publisher and editor, John E. Woodworth, founded The Register, editing and publishing the weekly news from his office on Berwick’s Mill Street.

In September of 1896, The Register office was destroyed by a fire originating in the warehouse district, but the press and most of the business essentials were removed just in time. Construction for The Register’s new home on Mill Street was completed within nine weeks but, during that time, The Register did not miss a single issue - due to John’s friendly affiliation with everyone in the business, The Middleton Outlook and Kentville Advertiser generously provided their presses to keep the newspaper going.

Woodworth had begun experiencing serious problems with his eyesight that required medical attention and time away from his newspaper and, June 16, 1897, he entrusted the publication and editorial seat to the capable hands of Miss Aimee Huntington.

Huntington began her career in journalism at an early age when working on The Yarmouth Tribune, a newspaper published by her father, Richard Huntington. Following her father’s demise, Aimee accepted a position with the editing staff of The Cape Cod Item in Yarmouthport, Massachusetts. The 28-year-old Huntington returned to Nova Scotia in 1888, when she joined the editorial staff of The Hants Journal (Windsor) newspaper. Through the auspices of journalism, Huntington and Woodworth became good friends.

Huntington published and edited The Register successfully over a period of about one-and-a-half years as the newspaper owner recuperated. In this highly intelligent and spirited woman, Woodowrth had found his perfect match and, following a romantic courtship, John and Aimee made their vows in the fall of 1898. By this time, John was in good health and ready to resume his position of publisher and editor for The Register.

Aimee remained a very important contributor to The Register following her marriage to John. A kind and generous woman by all accounts, Aimee was often the inspiration behind The Register’s success - but not the type of person who took any credit for her work.

The printers and linotype operators who set up her manuscript copies remarked Aimee was a joy to work for, especially as her hand-writing was so precise it could be read at a glance. This was a characteristic she would continue throughout her lifetime in all her editorials. Writing was not her only passion: she was also a talented musician who enjoyed teaching piano.

The Woodworths eventually retired from the newspaper business in 1919, and John passed away 10 years later. Aimee continued to contribute to the 30 Years Ago column and put in various articles, including an excellent history of The Register in 1940, although giving herself no credit for the story. In 1944, Aimee began writing her own column, Here and There, which proved to be interesting and informative, indicative of her keen sense of knowledge and ability for researching.

All those who knew Aimee considered her a highly talented woman, and one with a cheerful and generous disposition - even to the end of her days. Aimee Huntington Woodworth lived to the age of 91 and passed away May 25, 1951.