Archives
“We are trying to build up extensive records which will be of value to a future historian. It is highly important that the factual material be placed in our files in such a way that there can be no substantial distortion…”
About
Established October 19, 1980, the Heart of VA District Archive continues to be consistent with the far-reaching vision of AA co-founder Bill W. when he outlined a mission for the archives that is still sound today.
“Every one of the new and unexpected developments [in AA] has, lying just underneath, an enormous amount of dramatic incident and experience—stories galore.… It isn’t hard to prepare a fact sheet of what happened—that is, dates when people came in, groups started and so forth. The hard thing to lay hold of is the atmosphere of the whole proceedings and anecdotal material that will make the early experience alive.”
Like any other AA service, the AA Archivist and Archives Committee members for the Heart of Virginia District try to help the still suffering alcoholic by preserving the integrity of both the AA message and the history of the Fellowship for current and future members. The objective is more than mere custodial activity; it is the means by which we collect, preserve and share rich stories, the meaningful heritage of our Fellowship. Bound by the spiritual principles of the Fellowship, it is by this that our collective gratitude for Alcoholics Anonymous deepens. We hope to provide a context for understanding the progression, principles, and traditions of local AA groups.
The Archives Committee recognizes its responsibility to protect the anonymity of all AA members.
The Heart of VA District Archives Repository is located in the library of the Intergroup office at 1807 Emmet Street N, Suite 3-A, in Charlottesville VA, and is accessible by appointment. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact us at aacharlottesville@gmail.com .
Heart of Virginia History
The Archives Committee hopes to pass along the wonderful history of Alcoholics Anonymous groups in the Heart of VA, which holds about ninety meetings a week and encompasses the City of Charlottesville, the Counties of Albemarle, Greene, Louisa, Fluvanna, and Buckingham, and part of Nelson.
Recently, through the efforts of many hardworking members, a renewed history has been compiled and published. Copies are available on the literature tables of many homegroups around the district. You may also download a digital copy below.
Download: Carrying the Message in Central Virginia: History of AA in Jefferson District 9
Even if it was not collected for our most recent publication, Heart of VA still wants your group history! Please fill out the group history form according to these guidelines and send to jdsc9archives@gmail.com or mail to:
Heart of Virginia Archives
PO Box 7552
Charlottesville VA 22906