The Christianna Smith Papers contain writings, correspondence, memorabilia, tributes and recollections, a sampler of needlework, stiches, newspaper articles, resumes and photographs. Most of the collection consists of copies of published articles and a textbook written by Smith between 1920-1969 concerning various topics in zoology and cell biology. Tributes and recollections in these papers provide detailed information about Smith as a teacher, colleague and friend. Most of these documents consist of letters by Smith's former students written in 1983-1984 in response to requests for information about her from Helen A. Padykula, who received a M.A. degree from Mount Holyoke College in 1948, and Isabelle B. Sprague, a 1937 graduate and professor of Biological Sciences at Mount Holyoke. Rounding out the collection are a few personal letters and greeting cards sent to Smith, resumes that she compiled, newspaper articles about her, a sampler of needlework stiches that she made in 1903, and photographs dating from ca. 1915-1983 that are primarily portraits of Smith in her office or laboratory.

This collection is organized into six series:

• Writings
• Correspondence
• Tributes and Recollections
• Sampler
• Biographical Information
• Photographs