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

• Anti-Saloon league of Virginia
• McConnell, John Preston, 1866-1941
• Prohibition
• Virginia, Southwest