This collection contains papers of certain members of the Emerson family, especially regarding their connections to Beloit College. Family members primarily represented are Professor Joseph Emerson, Art Hall curator and art department founder Helen Brace Emerson, and Joseph's father, Ralph Emerson.

This collection gathers journal articles, newspaper clippings, student papers, speeches, and other documents that give historical accounts of Beloit College. Most of the histories focus on the founding of the college through rest of the 19th century, and many were written by Beloit College administrative staff, faculty, and alumni.