Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Virginia Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Records, 1934-1985. Accession 54255. State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Transferred on 25 April 2024 from the Va. Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Mechanicsville, VA 23116.

Biographical Information

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and its administrative arm, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, were created by an act of the General Assembly passed on March 7, 1934. The act, known as the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which the department was established to administer, specified the circumstances under which alcoholic beverages could be purchased and consumed. The act has been amended over the years. A major change occurred on February 7, 1968, when the General Assembly approved the sale of mixed drinks on a local option basis. The Board has three members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. It establishes rules and policies governing the Department, which controls through licenses and permits, the manufacture, bottling, selling, advertising, and transporting of alcoholic beverages; operates state stores for the sale of beverages, other than beer, to consumers and licensees. The Commissioner operates out of the Richmond office, with district offices established in Abingdon, Alexandria, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Hampton, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Staunton.

Scope and Content

Records, 1934-1985, including audit reports, stock shortage reports, store activity reports, and rules and regulations of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Topics include store management and sales activity. Of note are two photograph albums: one from 1976 from a regional meeting and one from ca. 1980s of some of the ABC stores (Manassas, Hopewell, Orange, Charles City, Pocahontas, Rocky Mount, and Waverly).

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by folder title.