Manuscripts Collection

Lutheran

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) maintains its Region 3 archives in Minnesota (the archivist can be reached at (651) 641-3205). Since its establishment, official synod and church records, as well as the papers of church officials, have been deposited there. The Society continues, however, to selectively collect the papers of individuals who are active in the church, as well as materials relating to other Lutheran synods active in Minnesota.

Organizations

Fairview Deaconess Hospital (Minneapolis, Minn.) School of Nursing. School of Nursing records, 1888-1987.
Minutes (1888-1986) of the board and several sub-units, some correspondence, scrapbooks (1939-1972), photographs, miscellaneous financial and patient information, newspaper clippings, and printed material relating to the nursing program of a hospital founded in 1888 by the Deaconess Society of the Lutheran Church.

Wartburg Federation of the Northwest (Minneapolis, Minn.) Records, 1907-1930.
Records of a federation of young people's societies in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Northwest. There are minutes of annual meetings, reports of societies comprising the federation, programs, and lists of delegates attending conventions. The federation was formerly called the German Luther League of the Northwest and the Luther League of the Northwest.

Individuals

T. N. Hasselquist papers, 1852-1891 [microform].
Correspondence of a prominent Swedish Lutheran clergyman in Illinois, relating to his work and that of other pioneer ministers among Swedish Lutheran immigrants in Illinois, Minnesota, and other states; the affairs of local parishes and of the Augustana Synod; the experiences of Swedish immigrants; and social and economic conditions. Many of the letters are in Swedish.

Harold LeVander papers, 1928-1992 (bulk 1966).
Correspondence, minutes, newspaper clippings, subject files, campaign literature, news releases, schedules, speech files, photographs, and scrapbooks documenting Minnesota governor (Republican, 1967-1971) LeVander's career at Watertown High School (1928), Gustavus Adolphus College (1928-1932), and the University of Minnesota Law School (1932-1935); his activities in Lutheran (Augustana Synod) organizations (1945-1951); and his 1966 gubernatorial campaign.

Henry J. Neils papers, 1911-1994 (bulk 1919-1974).
The papers document his business interests in Minneapolis and Cass Lake (Minn.), Montana, and Oregon; his relationships with his family (children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and siblings); his support of the Lutheran Church and its educational facilities, especially Concordia College (St. Paul, Minn.) and Valparaiso University (Ind.); and his social and civic life in Minneapolis.

Elias Newman papers, 1919-1968.
Leaflets, pamphlets, articles, and reports, many written by Newman, as well as correspondence, photographs, and a scrapbook documenting his work as a Presbyterian and Lutheran missionary to the Jews in Chicago (1918-1923), Damascus, Syria (1923-1928), and St. Louis, Missouri (1929-1933), and as director (1933-1967) of the St. Paul and Minneapolis groups of the Zion Society for Israel. Also included is information on the bombardment of Damascus by the French in 1925, anti-Semitism in the United States and abroad, the Hebrew-Christian Alliance of America, and the Lutheran Mission to Israel.

Eric Norelius papers, 1851-1916 [microform].
Papers of a prominent pioneer Swedish Lutheran clergyman who settled in Minnesota, including correspondence, sermons, speeches, manuscript drafts of a book, notes, and reports. Topics documented include the work of Norelius and other pioneer ministers among Swedish Lutheran immigrants in Minnesota and other states; the affairs of local parishes and of the Augustana Synod; the experiences of Swedish immigrants; social and economic conditions; and major historical events, such as the Dakota Conflict of 1862. Many of the manuscripts are in Swedish. The microfilm also includes a calendar, in English.

Gertrude Ogden papers, 1939-1992.
Correspondence and a few photographs received by St. Paul (Minn.) resident Gertrude Ogden from her parents, Robert C. (1880-1960) and Frieda (1882-1962) Ackermann, as well as from her brothers and sisters and their families. There is correspondence among three generations of the Ackermann family, including two generations of Lutheran ministers. The letters reflect the daily life of Robert C.'s family during his service, mainly in Le Center (Minn.); Martin Ackermann's experiences as a Lutheran missionary in New Guinea (1940-1942), his parish life, and his experiences as an administrator at Wartburg College and St. Olaf College; Arthur's life in Vienna (Austria) after World War II and subsequent government work in Washington, D.C.; and Robert W.'s life as an engineer and his church activities.

Carl M. and Sara K. Raugland papers, 1877-1901, 1978-1986.
Letters in Norwegian, and typed translations (incomplete), from a Norwegian immigrant who settled in Minneapolis. He worked as a teacher and organist in Norwegian Lutheran churches in the Minneapolis and Litchfield areas (1885-1887); as a piano salesman in Minneapolis; and as president, and later manager, of the Northwestern Music House, Minneapolis. The letters document his work, miscellaneous aspects of his religious and personal life, and acquisition of the letters from Norway.

Churches