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Prohibition & the Volstead Act : Primary Sources: Archives & Records

Manuscripts

Andrew J. Volstead and Family Papers, 1868-1955.
This archival collection (1868-1955) consists largely of political materials of Volstead, a Granite Falls lawyer and Republican congressman (1903-1922). Much of the correspondence is dated 1920 to 1922 and concerns Prohibition, the National Prohibition Act of 1919 (the Volstead Act), and Volstead's 1922 re-election campaign; there are also copies of Volstead's speeches on Prohibition.
MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid

Prohibition Party Records.
This archival collection (1876-1919) contains financial reports; minutes and memoranda of meetings and conventions, including Instructions for block captains, information on persons who contributed to the party, and the amounts contributed; letters soliciting support and donations; and other records of the Prohibition Party's administrative organization in Minnesota.
MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid

Oscar Christgau Papers, 1900-1978.
Papers of Christgau, temperance lecturer and Anti-Saloon League of America official. Included are correspondence, biographical data, speeches and radio addresses, subject files on the ASL and on numerous temperance personalities and organizations, dramatic debate scripts, clippings, and temperance literature and publications. The collection also includes notes on and a copy of Christgau’s autobiographical work, Adventures of a Dry Crusader (ca. 1973).
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (P1413).

Government Records

Light Wine and Beer and Prohibition Enforcement, address of A.J. Volstead.
Washington, D.C.: [s.n.], 1922. 
MNHS call number: HV 5089 .V644 1922

The Dry Law Enforcement Measure for Minnesota, Enacted by the Legislature, April 25th, 1919
Published in Minneapolis by the Minnesota anti-saloon league, 1919.
MNHS call number: HV5079 .M6 A5 1919

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