Films produced by state agencies and select other films have been reformatted and are available via the links below. For preservation purposes, patrons may not view the original film.
Films created by private companies are under copyright. Patrons must obtain permission from the production company to reproduce or reformat these films. Costs associated with the transfer of any film titles lacking an access copy will be borne by the patron.
State Records Film Collection, 1948-1986. Accession 43563. State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.
These materials came to the Library of Virginia in 2007 by internal transfer under accession number 43563.
These 16mm motion picture films have been organized into an artifical collection by format. The exact provenance of each title is unknown, but most are believed to have originated as part of the Virginia State Library Film Lending Library or the Department of Education Film Production Service. A significant, but unspecified, number of films were deaccessioned and destroyed during processing due to condition or redundancy.
Around 2016, twelve of the films in this collection were digitized and added to the the Library of Virginia YouTube channel under the State Government Collection playlist. Individual links to the digitized films can be found in the contents list.
Encoded by D. Chalfant: 2008; updated by V. Brooks, January 2026.
This finding aid describes an artifical collection created by format. The collection has two primary sources, the Virginia State Library's(now Library of Virginia) Film Lending Library and the Department of Education's Film Production Service. The state library's film lending library was created in 1962 to provide access to Virginia public libraries to borrow "cultural and educational" motion pictures. These film could be screened by the library or by local organizations such as civic groups, scout troops, or clubs. By administrative agreement with the State Budget Office, the library lending program was prohibited from lending films to educational institutions such as day care centers, elementary or high schools, or colleges and universities in order to avoid duplicating the work of the Department of Education. The state library's collection of films was to be built "with the clientele of the public library in mind." For bugetary reasons, the Virginia State Library eliminated the film lending program in 1992. Following the cancellation of the program, some titles from the film library were transferred to the Archives Department.
In 1945, the Virginia General Assembly appropriated $100,000 to the Board of Education for "production of motion picture films of historical sites, objects and scenes, and natural resources distinctive to Virginia" (Acts of Assembly, Extra 1945, Chapter 78, Item 13). The Superintendent of Public Instruction hired a director to establish a motion picture program. Initially, the staff explored contracting with a firm to create the film, but that was soon deemed to be too expensive. It was decided to hire a staff and purchase equiptment to produce the films in-house. The staff was organized with in the Education Department as the Film Production Service. In its 40 year existence as a department, the Film Production Service created 100 16mm films, numerous filmstrips, and eductional slides which were distributed to primary and secondary schools and colleges and universities throughout the commonwealth. Some Film Production Service films were also acquired by school systems in other states, as well as distributed overseas with foreign language soundtracks by the Federal government.
The collection consists of 16mm motion picture films created by the Virginia Department of Education's for K-12 classroom education and for documentary purposes. Films include works produced by the Virginia Department of Education as well as variety of state and national production companies. Highlights include a promotional film documenting the opening the Wise County Public Library and the Virginia Bicentennial Commission production of "The Past is Prologue." Some of the films have been digitized and are available on the Library of Virginia's YouTube channel. Click here to access these films:
For descriptive purposes, the collection has been divided into two series:
16mm motion picture films purchased by the Virginia State Library for its Film Lending Library.
Alphabetical by title.
Produced/Distributed by: Colony Productions.
Produced/Distributed by: Commonwealth Films, Inc.
Produced/Distributed by: Walter J. Klein, Ltd.
Produced/Distributed by: United States National Audiovisual Center.
Produced/Distributed by: Unknown.
Produced/Distributed by: MGM.
Produced/Distributed by: National Geographic Society.
Produced/Distributed by: National Geographic Society.
Produced/Distributed by: Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Documentary exploring the environmental problems of the Chesapeake Bay and the impact of these problems on the livelihoods of area residents and recreational users.
Click here to access the film:
Produced/Distributed by: Unknown.
Produced/Distributed by: Handel Film Corp.
Produced/Distributed by: Unknown.
Produced/Distributed by: Rudisill, Inc.
Documentary examining the roles of women in Virginia and their contributions to Virginia Society. Includes historical review and contemporary interviews.
Click here to access the film:
Produced/Distributed by: Charlotte Schrader.
Produced/Distributed by: Guggenheim Productions, Inc.
Produced/Distributed by: I.Q. Films.
Produced/Distributed by: United States National Audiovisual Center.
Produced/Distributed by: Mount Vernon Ladies Association.
Produced/Distributed by: Unknown.
Produced/Distributed by: Barr Films, Pasadena.
Produced/Distributed by: Walter J. Klein Co., Ltd.
Produced/Distributed by: Unknown.
Produced/Distributed by: Commonwealth Films, Inc.
Documentary examining the administration of Virginia Governor Linwood Holton.
Click here to access the film:
Produced/Distributed by: Handel Film Corp.
Produced/Distributed by: United States National Audiovisual Center.
Produced/Distributed by: Films Incorporated.
Produced/Distributed by: I.Q. Films.
Produced/Distributed by: Bullfrog Films, Inc.
Produced/Distributed by: McGraw-Hill Films.
Produced/Distributed by: Encyclopaedia Britannica Films.
Produced/Distributed by: McGraw-Hill Films.
Produced/Distributed by: Guggenheim Productions, Inc.
Produced/Distributed by: Unknown.
Produced/Distributed by: Unknown.
Produced/Distributed by: Unknown.
Produced/Distributed by: Mirage Productions.
Produced/Distributed by: McGraw-Hill Films.
Produced/Distributed by: United Virginia Bank.
Documentary highlighting 200 years of Richmond, Virginia, history. Includes dramatizations and is narrated by Earl Hamner.
Click here to access the film:
Produced/Distributed by: Guggenheim Productions, Inc.
Produced/Distributed by: Macmillan Films, Inc.
Produced/Distributed by: Macmillan Films, Inc.
Produced/Distributed by: Macmillan Films, Inc.
Produced/Distributed by: Encyclopedia Britannica Corp.
Produced/Distributed by: McGraw-Hill Films.
Produced/Distributed by: Coronet Films.
Produced/Distributed by: National Geographic Society.
Produced/Distributed by: United States National Audiovisual Center.
Produced/Distributed by: Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Documentary taking a look at the many species of birds that make Virginia their home.
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Produced/Distributed by: Unknown.
Presented in Commemoration of Our Nation's Bicentennial to the Commonwealth of Virginia by First and Merchants Corporation, April 28 1975
Produced/Distributed by: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission.
Produced/Distributed by: Virginia State Library.
Produced/Distributed by:
Produced/Distributed by: United States National Audiovisual Center.
Produced/Distributed by: Phoenix Films, Inc.
16mm motion picture films produced and distributed by the Department of Education's Film Production Service for classroom use.
Alphabetical by title.
Produced/Distributed by: Virginia Department of Education Film Production Service.
Documentary examining the life of General Robert E. Lee and his contributions to the Civil War and restoration efforts.
Click here to access the film:
Produced/Distributed by: Virginia Department of Education Film Production Service.
Documentary examining the history of Jamestown from its beginnings in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in America through its 90 years of prominence. Include dramatization of events.
Click here to access the film:
Produced/Distributed by: Virginia Department of Education Film Production Service.
Dramatization of the life and contributions of Thomas Jefferson as seen through Jefferon's eyes as he recalls events and visits historical landmarks.
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Produced/Distributed by: Virginia Department of Education Film Production Service.
Documentary exploring the role of Virginia in the Civil War.
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Produced/Distributed by: Virginia Department of Education Film Production Service.
Documentary about the Chincoteague Pony Penning Day, which began in 1924 when the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company first rounded up ponies on Assateague Island to auction off in order to raise money for fire equipment.
Click here to access the film:
Produced/Distributed by: Virginia Department of Education Film Production Service.
Produced/Distributed by: Virginia Department of Education Film Production Service.
Documentary examining the history and functions of the Virginia General Assembly. Narrated by Speaker of the House John Warren Cooke.
Click here to access the film: