Chap. 505.—An ACT to appropriate the sum of forty thousand dollars for the
erection of a fire-proof building in the Capitol square, at Richmond, for the
safekeeping of State archives. ([S B 89]

Approved March 25, 1920.

Whereas, there are in the State library, at Richmond, archives and
records of the Commonwealth pertaining to the Colonial and Revolu-
tionary period, to that of the War of 1812, and to that of the War
Between the States, which are of priceless historical value; and
whereas, it 1s most desirable that these archives and records be pre-
served for all time to come and made accessible and readily available
to the public and, especially, to students of the history of the Common-
wealth;

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the
sum of forty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as shall be neces-
sary, 1s hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated, for the erection in the Capitol Square, at
Richmond, adjacent to the State library, of a fire-proof building for
the custody and preservation of said archives and records.

2. The said building shall be erected upon plans to be approved by
the governor and the State library board, who shall, after due adver-
tisement, enter into a written contract with some person, firm or cor-
poration for the erection of said building. Upon the written authority
of the governor, the auditor of public accounts shall issue his warrant
upon the treasurer from time to time in favor of such contractor until
the price agreed upon shall have been paid, which shall not be in
excess of forty thousand dollars.