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The collection contains selective print newspapers, sections and clippings of The Florida Times-Union and the Jacksonville Journal which detail and document Northeast Florida history from 1890 to date. Anniversary and commemorative editions, and selective daily newspapers describe historical developments, the achievements of notable figures, and provide valuable insights into daily life in Northeast Florida. A preponderance of articles feature commentary and analysis on Jacksonville's growth and development through the twentieth century. The earliest newspapers are souvenir trade editions dated 1890; the vast majority of the selective papers date from the late twentieth century to the current decade. The additional selective newspapers in the collection mark significant local subjects, events, people, and places. Topics include: Race relations, mayoral elections, deaths of area leaders, St. John's River, September 11, 2001 attacks on New York City, hurricanes and tropical storms, notable local authors, architecture and building developments, and urban issues. Of note is the continuity of certain subjects, such as race relations, downtown development, and pollution in the St. Johns River, which are recurring themes in articles over many years.

This collection documents the untiring efforts of Jacksonville physician Dr. George Dekle Taylor's twelve-year campaign leading a citizen group in opposition to "the unsightly blemish of the advertising on bus benches which are haphazardly scattered over the community." Two other corollary concerns were that (a) the City and bus companies should provide additional, dignified benches with convenient locations for the bus riding public; and (b) the City investigate the legality of advertising on city property. Documents pertaining to activities, including primarily correspondence, City of Jacksonville Legal Division opinions and bills, City Commission of Jacksonville minutes, Florida Senate bills, bus bench surveys, television editorials, newspaper clippings, presentations and speeches, lists of bus routes, Dr. Dekle's handwritten notes, and photographs. Correspondents include one United States Senator, various Florida state legislators, Jacksonville mayors (Haydon Burns, Louis Ritter, Hans Tanzler), Jacksonville City Commissioners/Council members, City of Jacksonville Police/Recreation/Safety officials, Garden Club of Jacksonville members, individuals from Tallahassee and Orlando spearheading beautification efforts in their respective cities, and interested Jacksonville residents.

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO) in Jacksonville, Florida, was founded in September 1949, and its sixty-three year history since reflects its development and current standing as a significant cultural resource. The collection provides historical documentation of the musical concerts and performances, and events and activities of the JSO from 1961 to date. The core of the collection are print ephemera, including event and performance programs, subscribers' cards and invitations, and publicity and news items. Of particular interest are source materials from the Grand Opening of the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts in 1997, and the Jacksonville Symphony Guild Designer Showhouses from 1977.

Contains letters, invitations, greeting cards, telegrams, postcards, art exhibition catalogs, bulletins, school catalogs, certificates, news clippings, magazines, photographs, medical illustrations, and two manuscripts, "The Artist and the Audience," and "Emergency Treatment." Also includes a short letter dated 1864 which certified the release of Wilson's maternal grandfather, William Bonacker, a Union Army captain captured by Confederate forces.  Capt. Bonacker reportedly fell at the Battle of New Market, 1864, but the War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, v. 37, p. 87, confirms he mustered out of the Army on October 10, 1864.

Arthur H. Jaffe was born and raised in Butler, Pennsylvania and graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. degree in Classical Studies. Arthur Jaffe has had several distinguished careers. From 1942-1946 he served in World War II as an Army captain in charge of a military intelligence unit. Following WWII, Mr. Jaffe went to Palestine, where he studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. While there he began working as a Haganah officer, gathering information which was helpful in the formation of the new state of Israel. Mr. Jaffe then had a successful 30-year career as a partner in the family owned business, the House of Jaffe, a chain of department stores in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. After the death of his first wife, Lois, Jaffe moved to Pittsburgh where he began a new career as Director of Planning and Development for the Carnegie Institute. He soon became involved in fund-raising in the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, where his success brought him to the attention of the Jewish Community Foundation of South Palm Beach County. In 1984, he and second wife Mata moved to Boca Raton where Arthur served as Founding Director of the Jewish Community Foundation of South Palm Beach County.