Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no use restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Records of the Virginia Governor's Office, [cite specific accession used]. State Records Collection, The Library of Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Tina M.G. Long, Virginia Division of Legislative Services, 910 Capitol Street, General Assembly Building - Room 261, Richmond, VA 23219, transferred and accessed 29 June 2007.

Biographical/Historical Information

During the colonial period of Virginia's history the governor, as an appointee of the Crown, was the colony's principal representative and upholder of royal authority. Although his powers were limited somewhat by the Council and by the laws passed by the House of Burgesses, the governor still had the authority to prorogue, adjourn, or dissolve the legislature, to confirm or veto its acts, to preside as the chief jurist of the colony, to command the provincial military forces, and to appoint many of the subordinate officers of government.

Most of these powers, excepting the military and appointive, were swept away by the American Revolution. The several revolutionary conventions assumed the executive role in 1774 and 1775 until the Committee of Safety was created in July 1775 to function in that capacity. The constitution adopted in 1776 made the governor subordinate to the legislative branch, elected by the General Assembly and circumscribed by a Council of State appointed by the assembly.

It was not until the constitution of 1851 was adopted that the power of the governor was strengthened appreciably. The Council of State was abolished, and the governor was popularly elected. In subsequent years his authority was consolidated and expanded to statute, and his veto power was restored. The state government reorganization act passed by the General Assembly on April 18, 1927, firmly established the governor as the chief administrative officer of a government composed of departments, the directors of which serve at the pleasure of the governor. In addition, the organization of the governor's staff has increased in size and complexity until it has become virtually a department itself: the Office of the Governor, encompassing both the chief executive and his staff.

Scope and Content

The Virginia Governor's Office, Records, are housed in one box (seven folders). The collection is arranged by Governor: I. Governor Charles S. Robb, 1982-1985; II. Governor John N. Dalton, 1978-1981; III. Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr., 1974-1977; IV. Governor A. Linwood Holton, Jr., 1970-1973; and V. Governor William M. Tuck, 1948. These records are select copies of Executive Orders and proclamations and are arranged in reverse chronological order by year. Some of the subjects of Executive Orders include: declarations of a state of emergency, primarily in response to natural disasters (Hurricane Agnes), fuel and energy shortages (including lowering the speed limit to 55 miles per hour), and drought (1977). Proclamations are primarily for holidays including Martin Luther King, Jr., Law Day, Mother's Day, Yorktown Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.These records were originally retained by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services.