The Old Farmer's Almanac stands as a remarkable testament to continuous publication, holding the distinction of being the oldest continuously published periodical in North America. Since its inception in 1792, this annual publication has offered a blend of weather forecasts, planting charts, astronomical data, recipes, and articles on diverse topics such as gardening, sports, astronomy, and folklore. Its enduring presence reflects a deep-rooted heritage
in American almanacs, drawing inspiration from predecessors like Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack, and it continues to be a significant cultural touchstone for many across the United States and Canada.
Founding and Early Success
The first edition of The Old Farmer's Almanac, initially known simply as The Farmer's Almanac, was brought to life by its founder and editor, Robert Bailey Thomas. In an era when numerous competing almanacs vied for public attention, Thomas's publication quickly found success. Its distribution impressively tripled in its second year, reaching 9,000 copies. The initial cost of the book was a modest six pence, equivalent to about four cents. Thomas's dedication to the almanac was profound; he served as its editor for over 50 years until his death in 1846, establishing it as America's "most enduring" almanac by outlasting its rivals. It was in 1832 that Thomas first added the word "Old" to the title, a change that became permanent and official in 1848 under editor John Henry Jenks.
Thomas's method for calculating the almanac's weather predictions involved studying solar activity, astronomy cycles, and weather patterns. He developed a secret forecasting formula, which is reportedly still in use today. This formula is so closely guarded that few people, apart from the almanac's prognosticators, have ever seen it; it is kept in a black tin box at the almanac's offices in Dublin, New Hampshire. Thomas also initiated the practice of drilling a hole through the almanac, allowing subscribers to hang it from a nail or string, a tradition that continued for centuries.
Evolution and Modernization
In 1851, John Henry Jenks introduced a significant visual change by featuring a "four seasons" drawing on the cover, created by Boston artist Hammatt Billings and engraved by Henry Nichols. After a brief hiatus, this trademarked design was permanently reinstated in 1855 and remains in use today. The almanac's content also evolved; in 1861, editor Charles Louis Flint began to place a heavier emphasis on farming-related articles, catering to its agricultural readership.
By the turn of the 20th century, under editor Horace Everett Ware, the almanac began to broaden its appeal to a more general audience. Scientific agricultural articles were gradually replaced with features on nature and modern life. However, this period also saw a notable misstep. In 1938, editor Roger Scaife made the controversial decision to drop the weather forecasts, substituting them with temperature and precipitation averages. The public outcry was so significant that the forecasts were reinstated the following year, though the decision reportedly damaged Scaife's reputation.
Leadership and Expansion in the 20th Century
A pivotal moment arrived in 1939 when Robb Sagendorph, founder of Yankee, Inc. (later Yankee Publishing, Inc.), acquired the publishing rights and became editor. Sagendorph, who had moved his family to Dublin, New Hampshire, in 1930 and started *Yankee* magazine in 1935, believed that tradition was the almanac's greatest strength. He promptly restored its original format and editorial style, aiming to reflect the interests of the general populace as it had a century prior. Under his leadership, the almanac flourished, with readership growing annually. During World War II, to comply with the U.S. Office of Censorship's Code of Wartime Practices, the almanac featured "weather indications" instead of explicit forecasts from 1943 to 1945, thus maintaining its unbroken record of continuous publication.
Sagendorph served as editor until his death in 1970, after which his nephew, Judson D. Hale Sr., continued to uphold his vision. In 2000, Janice Stillman became the first woman to hold the editor position, followed by Carol Connare in 2023, who is the 14th editor since 1792. The almanac's distribution continued to grow, surpassing four million copies in 1992. While the practice of drilling a hole in the almanac was nearly discontinued in the 1990s due to cost, a survey of subscribers overwhelmingly favored its retention, ensuring the tradition continued. Today, The Old Farmer's Almanac, still headquartered in Dublin, New Hampshire, publishes both a U.S. National edition and a Canadian edition, with an annual circulation of 3 million copies, further solidifying its place as a beloved North American institution.
