# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S741
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS 741
4) important facts and data about the congregations, com-
missions, and boards;
5) orders of service for special occasions;
6) outmoded and unused equipment, which, because of its
age, would make interesting museum pieces;
7) minutes of pastors’ and teachers’ conferences;
8) minutes of agencies, commissions, and boards serving Synod
which are no longer needed.
Microfilm
One of the greatest forward steps taken to complete the
essential records for the story of Lutheranism was undertaken by
the Lutheran Laymen’s League in 1954. At that time an extensive
microfilm project was initiated by that group, which designated the
Institute as the agency and depository to carry out the work. Up
to the present time, $2,700 has been allocated for this purpose;
thus far the project included a survey of existing documents and
periodicals as the first phase, and in the second, more than 4,000
feet of film have been added to the collection. A series of rare
periodicals and documents otherwise unobtainable, but bearing
upon the history of Synod, is being filmed. In the not-too-distant
future the research historian will be enabled to do all his research
in the Institute, regardless of subject matter. With the contin-
uation of this project by the LLL we shall have filmed all im-
portant documents and literature pertinent to Lutheranism in
America.
Seminary Relations
Throughout its 29 years the Institute has been located on the
campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Prior to 1952 it was
housed in various seminary buildings and since then in its own
home. This has been of the greatest mutual benefit. An ever-
increasing number of students are writing theses in the area of
Lutheranism in America on sources found in the Institute, both
original and on microfilm. The School for Graduate Studies has
also made extensive use of the sources offered. The museum facil-
ities have been used by the seminary as exhibit areas in the field
of religious art and incunabula (books published before A. D. 1500).
Members of the department of Historical Theology have at all
times taken an avid interest in our work.

Finances
A historical depository and museum such as the Institute
grows in a direct ratio as Synod grows and expands. Its use-
fulness and capacity to render services is dependent both upon
the source materials deposited and upon the available funds to