The papers contain account books, diaries, essays, exams, and notebooks documenting Esty's academic career at Amherst and M.I.T. Most of the material dates from 1887-1893 and relates to courses offered at these institutions and are useful in the study of curriculum development. There are also several notebooks and scrapbooks in the letters from Esty's childhood and adolescence.

This collection is organized into four series:

• 1. Account books, correspondence, and diaries
• 2. Essays and Compositions
• 3. Examinations from M.I.T.
• 4. Notebooks, scrapbooks, and thesis