This collection consists of personal and business papers of the Fowler, Rose, and Thompson families and of their connections, the Bracken, Lane, Sawyer, Shonerd, Ott, Smith and Bullock families.

The Holsinger and Rose families immigrated to the United States in the 1700s. The collection reflects their activity in the Rosedale, Kansas, area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries by means of correspodence, poetry, newspaper clippings, and brief biographies, which address topics ranging from accounts of the Civil War, Kansan identity, politics and Christianity.

This collection includes the personal and professional papers of Mary Elsie (Rose) Kirby, a school teacher and administrator who lived in several areas of Kansas throughout her life. The collection also includes some family photographs and papers.