Artifacts

The collection consists of the presidential files of Dr. Ralph A. Bohlmann assembled and arranged by his staff prior to transfer to Concordia Historical Institute. Additional records were transferred to CHI in April 2008 from storage at the LCMS International Center. These records had been retained for access by the president’s office by Bohlmann’s successors.

There are three series in the main collection (Boxes 1–61). Series A (Boxes 1–25) consists of subject files arranged in alphabetical order. These files contain materials from 1981 through 1986. The last two boxes of this series include materials from the John W. Behnken, Oliver R. Harms and J. A. O. Preus administrations that Dr. Bohlmann used during his tenure as LCMS president.

Series B (Boxes 25–53) is arranged in the same manner as Series A and contains materials from 1986–1992. Series C (Boxes 54–61) concerns Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana) and its president, Dr. Robert D. Preus.

Series D and E contain materials stored at the International Center in boxes marked “President’s Office” and transferred to CHI in April 2008. Some re-organizing was required due to scattered arrangement of the files in the original boxes. Series D (Boxes 62–72) contains primarily subject files with some general correspondences following from 1981–1985, while Series E (Boxes 72–77) contains files from 1985–1992, presumably kept for the Barry administration.