The Edward Curtis Dahl papers consist of 13 linear feet of material divided into 6 series:
Correspondence in Series I pertains to personal, academic and professional matters, and extends from 1937 through 1986. It includes letters of a personal nature from Amos WIlder and Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and a great deal of correspondence pertaining to Dahl's career. Biographical materials in Series II include numerous newspaper clippings related to Dahl's career transitions, early photos from Eden Mills, VT, and obituaries and eulogies.
The bulk of the collection consists of hundreds of sermons are arranged in two subseries, chronological from 1939 to 1984, and a topical series, presumably arranged by Dahl himself, and generally arranged alphabetically. These subseries variously include notes for sermons, working drafts and "pulpit copies." This is a substantial collection covering a long era, and would seem to have historical significance, given its range and depth.
The publications of Series IV consist of drafts, manuscripts, and copies of Dahl's contributions to the ministerial and devotional press, including extensive devotions, and in particular a thirteen part series for Pulpit Digest concerning the Christian funeral. Dahl was also an ongoing contributor of meditations to Church Educator. Although this collection does not contain copies or drafts, save one, Dahl also had several sermons published in Pulpit.
Pastoral materials in Series V include various folders of notes and miscellany on given themes (humor, Bible study, etc.), and extensive prayer and quotation files, from which Dahl apparently drew when developing sermons, devotions, etc.. In addition, annual minister's reports, dated intermittently from 1939 through 1980, contain a plethora of detailed information regarding everyday Congregational ministry during those decades. Finally, personal materials include a limited amount of matter pertaining to extra-professional and alumni associations
These papers may be of considerable interest to students of Congregational pastoral ministry from the 1940's through the 1970's, or to historians concerned with religious life in the mid-twentieth century. The collection offers an abundance of detailed documentation of an extensive and very accomplished career in parish ministry in New England and elsewhere.