The Sturgis-Tappan Papers consist of 1.25 linear feet dating from 1812 to 1983, approximately two thirds of which is correspondence and the rest of which is writings and drawings. Types of material include correspondence, pencil drawings and watercolors, drafts of poems, and one published volume.

This collection is organized into three series:

• I. Biographical Material
• II. Correspondence
• III. Writings and Drawings
• Oversize Materials