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The Alexander Lockhart Nelson Papers consist of materials related to Nelson's life as mathematician at Washington and Lee University; Nelson, Guy, Matthews, Archer, and Rennick family genealogy; an address by Nelson on his teaching experience during Robert E. Lee's presidency of Washington College; some family and miscellaneous correspondences; and photographs. Included and, perhaps, the primary aspect of the collection is Nelson's notebook used during his time as both student and professor of mathematics during the mid through late 19th century. The notebook also contains a range of content unrelated to his career as mathematician such as an extensive family tree, a journal/day book which includes details about weather from December 1880 through March 1881 in Lexington, Va.; a pencil drawing of his property and its improvements in downtown Lexington; and notes about payments made to a hired laborer for his Lexington home and grounds. There is an albumen photograph of a group of young girls of the Ann Smith Academy in Lexington – including an image of Nelson's daughter Evelyn. The collection is in two series – each formerly a unique accession from unique sources and different dates. The collections have recently been combined. Each series includes a control folder explaining its provenance. Series two includes a letter from WLU student Jack C. Desha in 1871 to his father Lucius Desha of Kentucky. In the letter Jack shares his travel experiences from Cincinnatti, Ohio to Lexington, Va., including an overnight visit in Washington DC. Series two also includes student Randolph Preston's (WLU class of 1902)typescript reminiscence of his Washington and Lee University student experience fifty years earlier.

This collection includes a small amount of correspondence dated 1904-1908. The primary subject matter of the correspondence refers to fundraising efforts Chamberlain was a part of that related to Washington and Lee University. He helped fundraise to build a chapter house for his fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, a new library (Carnegie), and the Lee Memorial Association. A couple of letters refer to the Jamestown Exposition (1907). Chamberlain remarks about his political campaign in a letter dated June 5, 1906.

This collection consists of Swayne's personal papers from his time as a student at Washington College, including correspondence with E. C. Gordon and Mary F. Dickson, a subscription to the Southern Collegian, and two essays. One letter is a response from the clerk of the faculty to Swayne's notice of withdrawal from the college. One essay entitled 'A trip to House Mountain' was written in 1869; it details a trip made there in the summer of 1867. There is an accompanying note. The other essay is about Alexander the Great. There is also a 1935 newspaper article about his reminisces of his time at Washington College while Robert E. Lee was the university's president.

This collection consists primarily of business papers of the family including sale lists, indentures, land surveys, deeds, wills, promissory notes, and numerous receipts. It also includes 71 photographs from the collection of Samuel W. McCown, Jr. (WLU 1919).

This collection includes individual or small collections of letters to the Custis, Lee, Davidson, McDowell, Reid, and Hale families. Subjects include the Custis family involvement in the American Colonization Society, John Brown's Raid as recounted by V.M.I. cadet Charles A. Davidson of Lexington, Va., Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee's life, Lee family genealogy, Anne Lee Marshall's death, the Markoe family of Baltimore, Md.,Edgar Allan Poe, and Washington College (Va.) history including a letter from Cyrus Hall McCormick. The material was found in upstate New York in the mid 20th century and given to Washington and Lee University Archives in 2013.

The collection includes an autograph book containing autographs of Washington and Lee students circa 1875. Also includes a brochure of River Crest Sanitarium (Astoria, Long Island) and three letters to Dr. Dold from Francis P. Gaines, which are dated October 20, 1932, May 24, 1933, and November 7, 1936.

This collection includes 34 letters, 1865-1870, written to his father while Thom was a student at Washington College, four letters to Thom from various correspondents, college grade reports and programs, and other printed material.