“State Penitentiary, Richmond, Va.”

Virginia State Penitentiary opened in 1800. It closed in 1991. This postcard was published about 1900-1910.

“The Virginia Penitentiary collection contains a wide variety of bound volumes and paper records spanning nearly 200 years (1796-1991; bulk 1906-1970). Included are administrative records such as annual reports, correspondence, office and subject files, minute books, photographs, blueprints, as well as specific records related to the State Convict Road Force and State Convict Lime Grinding Board. Also included are financial records such as account books, cash books, ledgers, payrolls, and receipt books. The prisoner related records include: prisoner registers, photographs and negatives, medical records, commitment orders, punishment records, escape reports, index cards and execution files. The records of the Virginia Penitentiary document the institutions’ operational history, prisoners and the evolution of corrections in Virginia.”
A Guide to the Records of the Virginia Penitentiary, 1796-1991 (bulk 1906-1970) – Library of Virginia, Accession # 41558