The Dow papers are organized into five series (Biographical, Correspondence, Manuscripts, Publish Material and Secondary). The bulk of the collection relates to Dow’s teaching and speaking career and includes notebooks, speeches and class notes. Another portion of some significance is genealogical files located with the biographical series. The collection contains several folders of correspondence in various series.

The Herrick papers consist of memorabilia and scrapbooks that document his student and poetic careers. The bulk are scrapbooks containing poems written during his lifetime and that highlight events in the life of Wheaton College and the surrounding community.