PUBLIC "-//Radford University::University Archives::McConnell Library//TEXT (US::ViRa::ViRa7070::A Guide to the Virginia Anti-Saloon League Collection, 1842-1937)//EN" "ViRa7070.xml" A Guide to the Virginia Anti-Saloon League Collection, 1842-1937 Virginia Anti-Saloon League SC 203 Gene Hyde Radford University, University Archives, McConnell Library © 2012 By Radford University. All rights reserved. Machine-readable finding aid derived from Database, created by Aaron Spelbring, October 2016 Description is in English A Guide to the Virginia Anti-Saloon League Collection, 1835-1937 A Collection in University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University SC 203

University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University 2012 Gene hyde and Adrian Whicker University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University Descriptive Summary University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University Virginia Anti-Saloon League Collection, 1835-1937 SC 203 2.5 linear feet (3 archival boxes). English John Preston McConnell, first President of Radford University, was an avowed prohibitionist and served as President of the Virginia Anti-Saloon League from 1922-1930. After resigning his post as President of the Virginia Anti-Saloon League he continued as a member of its Executive Committee. McConnell served as a strong financial and moral supporter of the movement until his resignation from the office of President at Radford due to failing health. This collection contains correspondence between McConnell and various Prohibition leaders, politicians, civic and religious leaders, educators, and average citizens as well as newspaper articles, pamphlets, and other publications relating to Prohibition and the activities of the Virginia Anti-Saloon League. McConnell, John Preston Administrative Information Access Restrictions

An appointment for research is required. The collection is open for research. No interlibrary loan.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Virginia Anti-Saloon League Collection, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA.

 Acquisition Information

Donated by the McConnell Family as part of the John Preston McConnell Official Papers

 Custodial History

Originally part of the John Preston McConnell Official Papers. Moved to Special Collections and processed by Gene Hyde and Adrian Whicker, 2012.

 Processing Information

Processed by Gene Hyde and Adrian Whicker, 2012.

Biographical Information

John Preston McConnell, first president of Radford University, was a staunch supporter of the prohibition of alcohol. In addition to his tenure as president at Radford, he also served as president of the Virginia Anti-Saloon League, a group dedicated to the cause of Prohibition in Virginia, from 1922-1930. During his presidency McConnell corresponded with a number of Prohibition leaders and advocates; he also collected numerous books, articles, and other writings related to the cause of Prohibition. After resigning from the position of president, McConnell continued to be active in the League by donating moral and financial support, stopping only when his health no longer permitted him to continue.

 Scope and Content

The Virginia Anti-Saloon League Collection contains numerous letters of correspondence between John Preston McConnell and Virginia Anti-Saloon League leaders, Prohibition leaders, civic and religious leaders, educators, and average citizens, all at local, state, and national levels. These letters reflect on McConnell's sentiments towards the prohibition of alcohol and help shape a better understanding of the activities of the Virginia Anti-Saloon League. These letters were written in the years during and following his role as president of the League and span from 1922-1937.

In addition to correspondence, the collection also contains a number of books, monographs, articles, and other publications printed by the Virginia Anti-Saloon League, the Woman's Christian Temperance Movement, and various other groups and individuals around the United States. The books and monographs span from 1835 to 1931 and discuss topics relating to alcohol consumption and the movement towards alcohol prohibition. The collection contains pamphlets, songs, and articles published by prohibitionists that document the temperance movement and encourage sobriety and the illegalization of alcohol. Additionally, the collection includes various other ephemera relating to the Virginia Anti-Saloon League, the Woman's Christian Temperance Movement, and Prohibition in general.

 Arrangement

Series 1: Correspondence, 1910-1937

Series 2: Printed Materials, 1835-1931

 Index Terms McConnell, John Preston, 1866-1941 Anti-Saloon league of Virginia Prohibition Virginia, Southwest Collection Inventory Correspondence 1910-1937

Contains personal correspondence of John Preston McConnell with leaders of the Virginia Anti-Saloon League, national and regional prohibition leaders, government officials, Democratic Party officials, citizens, and ministers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Also, contains publications of the Virginia Anti-Saloon League, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Virginia and other regional and national prohibition groups, as well as newspaper clippings, and ephemera from the period 1910-1937.

Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1922-1927 1 1 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1928 1 2 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1929 1 3 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1930 1 4 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1931 1 5 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1932 1 6 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1933 1 7 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1934 2 1 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1935 2 2 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1936 2 3 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence, 1937 2 4 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Publications, 1922-1933 2 5 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Publications, 1927-1935 2 6 Virginia Anti-Saloon League Ephemera, 1914-1928 2 7 Women's Christian Temperence Union Correspondence, 1929-1937 2 8 Printed Materials 1842-1931 Pamphlets and Songbook, 1842-1921 The philosophy of temperance: an address before the Temperance Society of the University of Vermont, October 18, 1842 by Rev. Zena Bliss, 1842 3 1 The battle cry: a new collection of temperance and prohibition songs by H.S. Taylor and Dr. J.B. Herbert , 1887 3 2 Life of Charles A. Gunder: saved by the blood from a drunkard's hell, 1909 3 3 Can the water be made fine? an essay on Southern politics: primaries, Prohibition, labor, the negro question and remedy by William Henry Gravely , 1921 3 4 The philosophy of temperance: an address before the Temperance Society of the University of Vermont, October 18, 1842 by Rev. Zena Bliss, 1842 3 5 Pamphlets and Songbook, 1835-1931 Permanent temperance documents of the American Temperance Society, 1835 The beautiful life of Frances E. Willard by Anna A. Gordon, 1898 Reminiscences of Neal Dow: an autobiography (shelved with Rare Book Collection), 1898 The law relating to intoxicating liquors by Howard C. Joyce, 1910 Frances Willard: her life and work by Ray Strachey (shelved in Rare Book Collection), 1913 Prohibition: modification of the Volstead Law by Lamar T. Beman, 1924 The evolution of Prohibition in the United States of America by Ernest H. Cherrington, 1920 Anti-Saloon League yearbooks: , 1909-13, 1915, 1917, 1920, 1922-26, 1929-31 1929 Andrew Trayton: A Novel of Modern Life by Albert O. Boschen, 1928 When at state goes dry: a brief study in law enforcement by Frederick O. Blue, State Tax Commissioner of West Virginia, 1916