The Jane Addams papers consist of 1.5 linear feet of material. They contain primarily duplicates from the Swarthmore Peace Collection. There is some biographical information including articles (1898-1961), obituaries (1935), memorials (1935-60), and typescripts of radio broadcasts about her (1932-40). Organizational and historical information about the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom is included in the memorials section. There are typescripts of speeches by Addams (1912-33), which provide her perspective on topics including social service, women's issues, and World War I. Many reprints of articles (1898-1935) by Addams also offer insight as to her opinion on a variety of subjects. Some topics addressed in this section are: nationalism, peace, politics, labor, suffrage, women's rights, WWI, and social work.

There are some articles and printed material regarding Hull House (1897-1950), and a few photographs and pictures of Addams and Hull House. A small amount of correspondence consists of a few original autographed letters to friends (1903-1934).

The Jane Addams Papers are closely related to the Ellen Gates Starr Papers in the Sophia Smith Collection. Researchers may wish also to consult the Peace and Settlement House Collections for further information about the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and Hull House, as well as the Schwimmer-Lloyd and Madeleine Zabriskie Doty Papers (re: WILPF) and the Jessie Lloyd O'Connor Papers (O'Connor was a resident/worker at Hull House).