Restrictions on Access

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

John C. Watkins papers, Collection # M 300, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Immediate Source of Acquisiton

Donated to Special Collections and Archives by John C. Watkins in December 1992. Additional materials were donated in 1998, 1999 and 2002.

Biographical / Historical

John C. Watkins was born in Petersburg, Virginia, on March 1, 1947. He is the son of B. Chewning and Margaret Bowman Watkins. He attended Chesterfield County Schools and graduated from Midlothian High School in 1965. In 1969, he received a B.S. in Agriculture/Horticulture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Watkins served in the United States Army from 1969 through 1971. He has been affiliated with Watkins Nurseries, Inc. since 1971, and has served as president of the company since 1990. From 1973 to 1981, Watkins was an adjunct faculty member of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. He has served on the Chippenham Medical Center/Johnston-Willis Hospital Board of Directors (1993-present) and the Richmond Metro Electric Vehicle Readiness Committee as General Chairman (1996-present). In 1982, Watkins was elected to the Virginia General Assembly-House of Delegates from the 34th Legislative District (Chesterfield, Powhatan, and Colonial Heights.) From 1983 to 1997, Watkins represented the 65th Legislative District (Chesterfield and Powhatan Counties). In 1998, Watkins was elected to the Virginia Senate where he represents the 10th Senatorial District comprised of the County of Powhatan and parts Chesterfield, Henrico, and the City of Richmond. Watkins has been active in encouraging increased cooperation between the City of Richmond, and the county governments of Henrico and Chesterfield. He is married to Kathryn Clawson Watkins and has three children: John Michael, Robert Schofield, and Thomas Ryan.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains the office files of Senator John C. Watkins (1947- ) covering the years from 1979 through 2001 and includes correspondence, reports, memoranda, files on legislation and various topics and issues that the Virginia General Assembly addressed during this time period. The correspondence contains letters to and from Senator Watkins and includes constituent requests for favors or patronage and letters of inquiry about legislation. Correspondents include United States Senators Paul Trible and John Warner, Virginia Governors George Allen, Gerald Baliles, Thomas Bliley, James Gilmore III, Charles Robb, and L. Douglas Wilder III, and President of the United States George Bush. The legislation covers issues of importance to Senator Watkins. Of particular concern are those that represent his committee assignments, including Agriculture, Conservation and National Resources, Commerce and Labor, Local Government, and Transportation. The Powhite Parkway, the Virginia Lottery, health care, gun control, education, and Disney America are among some of the issues addressed in the collection. Watkins has been active in encouraging increased cooperation between the City of Richmond and the county governments of Henrico and Chesterfield and the collection includes materials covering those issues.

Arrangement

The collection is divided into four main sections - each representing a different donation of office files. The processed collection uses the file folder names created in Watkins' office. Series I. Office Files (1979-1991) -- Series II--Office Files (1984-1997) -- Series III--Office Files (1977-1999) -- Series IV--Office Files (1997-2001). Collection is arranged alphabetically and chronological therein.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Legislators -- Archives -- Virginia
• Local government -- Virginia -- Richmond Region.
• Politicians -- Archives -- Virginia
• Virginia -- Politics and government.
• Virginia. General Assembly. Senate. Commerce and Labor Committee
• Virginia. General Assembly. Senate. Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources
• Watkins, John C.