University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University
Collection number
SC 203
Title
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Collection,
1835-1937
Extent
2.5 linear feet (3 archival boxes) .
Creator
McConnell, John Preston
Language
English
Abstract
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.
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.
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.
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.
Box
1 Folder
1
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1922-1927
Box 1
Folder
2
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1928
Box 1
Folder
3
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1929
Box 1
Folder
4
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1930
Box 1
Folder
5
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1931
Box 1
Folder
6
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1932
Box 1
Folder
7
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1933
Box 2
Folder
1
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1934
Box 2
Folder
2
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1935
Box 2
Folder
3
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1936
Box 2
Folder
4
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Correspondence,
1937
Box 2
Folder
5
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Publications,
1922-1933
Box 2
Folder
6
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Publications,
1927-1935
Box 2
Folder
7
Virginia Anti-Saloon League Ephemera,
1914-1928
Box 2
Folder
8
Women's Christian Temperence Union Correspondence,
1929-1937
The philosophy of temperance: an address before the Temperance Society of the University of Vermont, October 18, 1842 by Rev. Zena Bliss,
1842
Box 3
Folder
2
The battle cry: a new collection of temperance and prohibition songs by H.S. Taylor and Dr. J.B. Herbert ,
1887
Box 3
Folder
3
Life of Charles A. Gunder: saved by the blood from a drunkard's hell ,
1909
Box 3
Folder
4
Can the water be made fine? an essay on Southern politics: primaries, Prohibition, labor, the negro question and remedy by William Henry Gravely ,
1921
Box 3
Folder
5
The philosophy of temperance: an address before the Temperance Society of the University of Vermont, October 18, 1842 by Rev. Zena Bliss,
1842
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