Have you ever been curious about the birds who call Virginia home? Or wanted to explore the history of Richmond? Or maybe take a closer look at the administration of Governor Linwood Holton? Or perhaps catch a view of the early years of Pony Penning Day in Chincoteague? If so, check out the State Government Records Collection Playlist on the Library of Virginia’s YouTube channel.
The Library of Virginia has a small collection of motion picture films that were created for K-12 classroom education or for other documentary purposes. These films were originally part of a circulating collection managed by the Library, providing libraries, public schools, and the general public with educational film resources. Some of the films are informative, some are entertaining, and some are just plain outdated, but all provide a glimpse into what students may have been learning in classrooms across the state before filmstrips went the way of the typewriter and the mimeograph machine. The following films have been digitized and are now available online:
- Character of Lee, 1962
- Chesapeake Horizon, 1983
- Common Wealth of Women, 1984
- The Holton Years, 1974
- Jamestown, A Place of Beginnings, 1958
- Jefferson of Monticello, 1948
- Manassas to Appomattox, 1961
- Pony Penning on Chincoteague, 1955
- Richmond Remembers 200 Years, 1980
- Virginia’s Flying Colors, undated
- Virginia’s General Assembly, 1980
See the collection’s finding aid for more details and a complete list of films. The majority of the films in this collection have not been digitized yet and will be reformatted as funding becomes available.
-Paige Neal, State Records Archivist
Is is permissible to place this blog posting in the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society Website. Great info for our members!!! thank you
Yes, please share it! We’re happy to spread the word.