Governor J. Lindsay Almond, Jr., Executive records, 1958-1962

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Governor J. Lindsay Almond, Jr., Executive records, 1958-1962. Accession 26230. State government records, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va 23219

Summary

Extent:
98.6 cu. ft. (189 boxes)
Creator:
Virginia. Governor (1958-1962 : Almond)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Governor J. Lindsay Almond, Jr., Executive records, 1958-1962. Accession 26230. State government records, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va 23219

Background

Scope and content:

The Executive Papers of Governor J. Lindsay Almond, Jr. are housed in 189 boxes. The collection is arranged into six (6) series. Series have been designated for: I. State Government. II. General Correspondence. III. Federal Government. IV. Extraditions. V. Judicial. VI. Miscellaneous. These records include applications, appointments, correspondence, executive orders, extraditions, invitations, minutes, proclamations, recommendations, reports, and speeches. These records document the gubernatorial administration of J. Lindsay Almond, Jr., from January 11, 1958 to January 13, 1962.

The State Government records are housed in 78 boxes and are arranged alphabetically by agency or subject. Subjects include: Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Boards, Commissions (including Commission on the Aging, Art Commission, Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Commission, and Commission on Redistricting), Department of Conservation and Development (including Virginia Conservation Commission), Virginia Corporation Commission, Education (Advisory Committee on School Construction, State Board of Education, Protest - Closing Schools 1960, Pupil Transportation, Superintendent of Public Instruction, colleges and universities, and Pupil Placement Board), Governor's Office, Grounds and Buildings, Department of Health, Department of Highways, Department of Mental Hygiene and Hospitals (includes mental hospitals), Military Affairs (Adjutant General), Retirement (Virginia Retirement System), State Police, Taxation, Unemployment Compensation Commission, Virginia Ports Authority, and Department of Welfare and Institutions (Corrections, Penitentiary, and Parole Board).

The General Correspondence are housed in 77 boxes and are arranged alphabetically by subject. Notable subjects include: Appointments with Governor, Civil Rights, Council of State Governments, Democratic Campaign, Executive Orders, Federal Legislation, General Assembly (notes on bills and Commissions), Governors of Other States, Invitations, Legal Matters, Proclamations, Requests, Segregation (including closing of schools, integration, NAACP, and re-opening schools), Southern Governor's Conference, Governor's Speeches, Statements, States Rights and Taxes.

The Federal Government records are housed in 16 boxes and are arranged alphabetically by agency or subject. Subjects include: Army, Civil War Centennial Commission, Defense, and Executive Departments.

The Extradition records are housed in 9 boxes and are arranged alphabetically.

The Judicial records are housed in 6 boxes and are arranged by Court.

The Miscellaneous records are housed in 3 boxes and contain personal correspondence with political figures and printed reports of state agencies. Personal correspondence to Governor Almond include: Watkins A. Abbitt, John S. Battle, Harry F. Byrd, Harry F. Byrd, Jr., A. Willis Robertson, Thomas B. Stanley and William M. Tuck.

Biographical / historical:

James Lindsay Almond was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, on June 15, 1898. He became active in politics in 1925, campaigning for Harry Flood Byrd. Before being elected governor in 1957, Almond served briefly in the United States House of Representatives and as Attorney General for the state of Virginia. He died in Richmond on April 14, 1986.

Acquisition information:
Transferred from the Office of the Governor, 1964 July 29.
Processing information:

The bulk of this collection has been processed using minimal processing standards: the original arrangement has been maintained, the container list is brief and simple, and the records have not been refoldered and fasteners have not been removed. Only Series II General Correspondence's segregation-related correspondence has been fully processed, as of 2025 December.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I. State Government
  • Series II. General Correspondence
  • Series III. Federal Government
  • Series IV. Extradition
  • Series V. Judicial
  • Series VI. Miscellaneous