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The papers include photocopies of letters from Henry L. Harrell, Sr. to his wife, Frances Harrell and his children while stationed in Europe in 1945. Harrell moved often, working in France, Germany, and Austria. His letters include recollections of interactions with European civilians, daily operations of POW hospitals, providing sanitation and medical treatment of POWs and Holocaust survivors, as well as religious (Church) services and daily life for GIs. Harrell's letters also elaborate on diagnoses (pathologies) found in these hospitals, and hint at the experiences of Holocaust survivors and POWs. The letters also include recollections of his travels throughout France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. The manuscript also includes a few photocopies of postcards, newspaper clipping, photographs, and military identification. A signed book of memoirs by Henry L. Harrell, Sr. and newspaper article are also included in the collection.

Henry Louis Hill served as a captain with the U.S. Army's 97th Infantry, Field Artillery, S-3 Battalion during World War II. This collection contains a veteran's questionnaire from Louis Hill; a one-page faded cartoon of native women on Guadalcanal; and a brief (less than one page) recount of how Hill came upon a Japanese lantern, which is also part of the collection. The collection also contains a black and white photograph of the president of Florida State College for Women (FSCW), Dr. Edward Conradi, buying supposedly the first defense bond issued in Tallahassee, FL, from Miss Mart Pierson (later married to Henry Louis Hill). According to the inscription on the photograph, the date was 14 December 1941, the first day defense bonds were sold in the US. Miss Pierson was the president of the College Government and chairman of the College Student Defense Committee. Also, there is a book of war stories from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, but Hill is not represented.

This collection is comprised of materials related to the works of Herbert Spencer Zim. Books covered include Armored animals; Botany; Commercial fishing; Crabs; Golden hamsters; Hoists, cranes and derricks; Israel and the Holy Land; North American Indian arts; Sea stars and their kin; Telephone systems; What's inside of me; What's inside of plants; and Your heart and how it works. Other persons or subjects significant to the collection include: Rene Martin, Herschel Wartik, Alexander Drozynski, Andre Hunter Whiteford, and basketry.

Herman "Pat" Herst (1909 – 1999) is most widely recognized for his exceptional contributions to philately. He was a prolific writer of philatelic literature and won every important award in the field, including the American Philatelic Society's Luff award. A third generation Mason, Herst was born and educated in Portland, Oregon, but spent most his life in New York and a member of the Masonic Stamp Club. Herst first championed the popular trend of topical collecting, specializing in specific stamp themes. After his death, his wife Ida donated his collections of Masonic, Philatelic, and Holocaust related material. This unique collection includes rare stamped and cancelled letters from inmates in Concentration Camps and ghetto currency. Also included in the collection are historical documents related to Freemasonry and photocopies of rare materials from and about the Ruhleben German Prisoner of War Camp from 1914 – 1918.