The Havens papers contain a small number of business papers, deeds, and records of Frey family ancestry, but they primarily consist of personal family letters from the late 1800s. They include the correspondence of Paul Havens' parents, Havens' correspondence with his wife and daughters, and letters from his siblings and their children. Included are many letters written by Havens' daughter Eleanor "Lollie" while attending the Art Students' League of New York. Letters from his daughter Elizabeth include one written on the day of her wedding to Daniel Read Anthony, Jr.

Incoming letters are arranged by name of correspondent, subarranged chronologically. Papers that postdate Paul Havens' death are chiefly those from his widow's estate.

Also included in the Paul E. Havens papers are various books and periodicals from the family library.