Women's Christian Temperance Union of Virginia Papers 1882-1958

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Creator:
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of 365 items (3.5 Hollinger boxes, ca. 1.5 linear shelf feet), 1882-1958, papers of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (Women's Christian Temperance Union) of Virginia, a women's organization whose purpose was to prevent the sale and consumption of alcohol in Virginia. The collection is arranged in three series: I. Correspondence and History File, II. Convention Programs and Proceedings, Publications, Photographs, Memorabilia, and Scrapbook, III. Bound Volumes and Printed Materials.

The correspondence includes letters to Amy C. Weech, Director of the Virginia Women's Christian Temperance Union Evangelistic Departmentand Mrs. Mrs. Walter [Maude] H. Page, Vice-President of the Virginia Women's Christian Temperance Unionduring the period in which the 18th amendment was repealed and includes a letter from Governor John Garland Pollard. The history file includes a Governor's Proclamation of Youth Temperance Education Weekby Governor William A. Tuck. The major portion of the collection consists of minute books of state conventions and local union business meetings from 1882-1958. The scrapbook consists of Women's Christian Temperance Unionliterature produced by the Fair and Exhibits Department.

Organizational History

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Virginiawas founded January 2, 1883, five years after the first local union was organized at Lincoln, Virginia. The object of the Women's Christian Temperance Unionwas to organize local unions throughout the state in order to eliminate liquor sales and production. The first efforts of the Women's Christian Temperance Unionwere to secure legislative adoption of the Local Option Lawto enable localities to individually vote on the sale of liquor in each. The Virginia Women's Christian Temperance Unionsuccessfully agitated for the Scientific Temperance Instruction Lawwhich mandated a temperance curriculum in state public schools. The Women's Christian Temperance Unionworked for National Prohibition which occurred with the passage of the Eighteenth Amendmentin 1920. Though dismayed by the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the Virginia Women's Christian Temperance Unioncontinued to work for temperance, especially among Virginia's youth, and broadened its reform program beyond temperance, taking stands against gambling, poor working conditions, and smoking through educational and legislative activities.

Alderman Libraryholdings include a variety of collections on the Virginia Women's Christian Temperance Union. Provenance: See individual accession numbers for provenance information.

Virginia Women's Christian Temperance Union State Presidents

Mrs. William H. Pleasants, 1883, Jan.-Oct.
Mrs. Rebecca D. Wilson, 1883-1866.
Mrs. William H. Pleasants, 1886-1888.
Mrs. R. H. Jones, 1888-1898.
Mrs. Howard M. Hoge, 1898-1938.
Mrs. Amy C. Weech, 1938-1942.
Mrs. Herbert W. Phillips, 1942-1950.
Mrs. Roy T. Jarrett, 1950-1958.

Acquisition information:
This collection (# 1750 ) was put on deposit 1938-1953.
Physical location:
Physical description:
365 items