The Baermann Associates-subseries, photographs, is the most significant part of the collection, containing hundreds of photographs of varying size and quality that document the range of products whose design Baermann influenced in some way, large or small, during his career. The photographs of furniture groups offers the widest range of Baermann's work, though there are also portrait photographs of Baermann and his staff. Note: additional photographs housed elsewhere among Baermann's papers; it was in these cases judged more appropriate to keep photographs with their subjects.

This series contains typed and handwritten articles by Baermann, biographical data assembled by either Baermann himself or Mrs. Baermann both before and after he came to Raleigh, some personal letters and notes, a few photographs of Baermann, news clippings that reflect a glimpse of the private man, and the manuscripts of several lectures and speeches that Baermann made. For example, this series contains both a typed manuscript and a set of note cards scribbled in Baermann's handwriting for a speech he made sometime in the 1960s to a group of women, entitled, "The Ideal Wife of the Designer." Comparison of the two versions of the same speech imparts some interesting information on Baermann's speaking style and sense of humor.

This subseries, includes general information on Baermann's design firm, Walter P. Baermann & Associates, Inc. that operated in Waynesville, North Carolina and Raleigh from 1950-1972. Also present are notes and records from interviews conducted between Baermann and assorted furniture industry executives. Articles from magazines and trade publications both by Baermann and about his work are found in this series. In addition, there are many news clippings from the North Carolina and Midwest area about Baermann's activities, including several dozen newspaper advertisements from the Detroit News and The Detroit Free Press, promoting furniture made from Baermann's designs. These news clippings and advertisements serve to document the broad base of influence in the 1950-60s that Baermann exerted over the furniture industry. Finally, this series contains a small amount of information that exists about Baermann's work as a residential architect in western North Carolina.

This subseries is the largest one in the collection. Its size alone testifies to the extent and variety of Baermann's activities as a practicing design engineer. The files contain correspondence, notes, drawings, sketches, photographs, brochures and other corporate publications. The Taylor Instrument Company file provides information about Baermann's award-winning design for the "golden ceramic barometer." Another, the Schieffelin file, offers a glimpse of various cosmetic packaging designs ideas and samples. Finally, this series includes Baermann's work on Liberty Magazine in the late 1940s, reflecting only a few of Baermann's graphic design projects. Note: there is also a file containing Braille language.

In 1968 NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, St. Augustine's College, and Shaw University launched a cooperative program among faculty and students whose purpose was to provide the colleges and universities with a means of focusing curricula and departmental resources upon major social problems related to the growth of science and technology. The idea was to explore ways to bridge the isolation of "campus" from "community." Baermann was an active participant in this program, serving as a task group leader on "The Vital University." Since Baermann had long been interested the interdisciplinary aspects of design, he applied his energy and talent to this program. This series contains a number of background articles that Baermann collected in connection with his activities in the program, as well as general correspondence, memoranda, information about meetings, and some of the writings of Don W. Shriver, Jr., the NC State professor who served as overall head of this program.

Limited in scope and size, the series contains correspondence, articles, brochures, and activities of the NC State Design School. Included in this series are course proposals, annual reports, regulations and policy.

The smallest part of the collection offers three examples of product designs: the Creslon company's manufacture of security belt fasteners and hair curlers and Baermann's design of hospital thermometer sleeves.

There are twelve audiotaped interviews in this series, including telephone conversations related to "Tammi," the resusitation model; staff conference calls between Carl Beal and Walter Baermann, again relevant to "Tammi;" a School of Forestry lecture; and a speech by Baermann, dated 1968. Dates are absent from the audiotapes. Twelve color slides are also provided in this series, dated, spring, 1968, and two reels indicate a 1968 presentation [Strycer?].

The final series in the collection combines over one hundred items ranging from Baermann's early years as an artist, and later, his career as a product designer. The drawings vary in size and subject, featuring a variety of water colors on fiberboard, pen and ink drawings, blueprints, and pencil sketches. These include female nude models; hands and feet; portraits of men and women; and furniture and home designs. There are a number of blueprints of homes, interiors, and a church. Some art work by others are included in the collection. Many are unidentified and dates are often excluded. Index cards identify each client (by alphabetical order) and furniture pieces are in order by subject.