The Douglas County Historical Society was organized in 1933 by a group headed by Professor F. N. Raymond of the University of Kansas. This collection consists of manuscript and printed materials from a variety of individuals, businesses, and organizations associated with the history of Douglas County, Kansas, from its territorial settlment period of the 1850s through much of the 20th century, deposited by the Douglas County Historical Society with the Spencer Research Library.

The scrapbooks treat the history of Lawrence and the University of Kansas in general. Some of the clippings are obituaries of local residents, or local current events, e.g, the demonstrations by the Lawrence chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1963.