This collection is arranged in two parts. Part 1 is largely diaries, manuscripts, and minutes. Part 2 is largely made up of account books, journals, and additional correspondence.
Although there are some Civil War letters by Fritz Rasmussen (primarily in Danish), the bulk of Part 1 is Rasmussen's diaries, which he kept faithfully over a period of fifty-four years. The diaries, between 450-500 in number, are unbound folders of letter paper and are partially written in English and partially in Danish. The diaries deal mainly with Rasmussen's farming activities and the local affairs of the New Denmark area. The diaries in boxes 2-7 are numbered chronologically, while those in box 8 are oversized diaries and likewise arranged chronologically. The two series of diaries overlap in dates.
Also included in Part 1 are two manuscripts dealing with the history of the early Scandinavians in the New Denmark, Wisconsin area, in addition to the records of the New Denmark Home Guard and the Evangelical Christian Society.
Items in Part 2 date from 1860 to 1918 and consist of account books, financial and personal journals, and additional correspondence both in English and Danish as well as 9 photographs of Rasmussen and various relatives.
