This collection consists mainly of keepsakes and mementos related to Berquist's political activities and campaigns from 1938 to 1946, along with some scattered items from later in his public life. The subject file structure set up by Berquist was followed in organizing the materials.
The Campaign materials and clippings folder and oversized folder contain newspaper clippings, posters, newspaper ads, and a four page newspaper insert, all related to the 1946 congressional campaign against Alvin E. O'Konski. There are also some posters, brochures, and letterheads from Berquist's earlier and later campaigns.
The Public life folder focuses mainly on Berquist's pre-World War II career in the State Assembly, including a vote tally; the final version of a radio address on old age pensions, broadcast by WHA and WLBL in 1938; two student papers describing a visit by Berquist to a University of Wisconsin Political Science class in 1939; and a constituent newsletter, also apparently from 1939. Other materials in the folder are a press release giving the reasons for Berquist's resignation from the Progressive Party to run as a Democrat in 1946, and a number of newspaper clippings, letters to the editor, and letterheads.
The War experience folder includes a letter from Fred R. Zimmerman, the Wisconsin Secretary of State, concerning the appointment of Walter S. Goodland as Acting Governor, and one from Senator Robert La Follette supporting Berquist's efforts to enter an Army Specialized Training program.
The John F. Kennedy folder contains a scattering of documents related to Berquist's membership in the Kennedy for President Club of Wisconsin and a visit by Kennedy to Rhinelander in 1959.
The Retirement folder consists of several photos with captions, clipped from the Silver City [NM] Daily Press.
The Reminiscences tape was recorded by Berquist in New Mexico in 1986 in two ten minute segments. On it he summarizes his political career, relates some stories about his upbringing and early work experience, describes a visit by President Roosevelt to Fort Reilly, Kansas, during his Army basic training, talks about being a P.O.W. in Germany, and expresses his basic political philosophy.
