The New York Times will mark its 175th anniversary this September, prompting a rare call for public participation. The paper invites subscribers to dig out clippings, notes or digital saves that capture moments they consider historic, and even rare letters. Submissions may span personal scrapbooks, generational photo albums or bookmarked web articles, all of which could be featured alongside the newsroom’s own vault today.

The outreach reflects a broader strategy to monetize legacy content and deepen audience engagement ahead of a planned subscription push. By crowdsourcing material, the Times hopes to unearth unique stories that can be repackaged for digital packages, potentially boosting renewal rates. Editors will vet each entry, contacting contributors before any material appears in print or online.

Readers who send in memorabilia will find their contributions archived in a public exhibition slated for the fall, offering a tangible link between the newspaper’s past and its digital future. The initiative also serves advertisers looking for nostalgic tie‑ins, as curated reader archives can be leveraged for branded content. Participation is free, but only vetted pieces will reach the final showcase.