The bulk of this collection consists of scrapbooks. The twenty scrapbooks are filled with newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and pictures covering such diverse topics as World War II, the Middle East, Lansing and East Lansing, Japanese culture and flower gardening. Also included are Ethel Rathke's prose and poetry and her correspondence with publishing companies, friends, and acquaintances.

This collection consists of the Civil War letters of John Wheeler to his family in Cattaraugus County, New York, relating his experiences in the Army of the Potomac, 44th Regiment, New York Volunteers, and in convalescent camp.