The history of the Brotherhood of the Spirit is complex and ongoing, and the documents that survive in Hapgood's collection pertaining to the commune represent only a fraction of the variety of experiences of members. Hapgood made a conscious effort to record the history of the commune through oral histories and interviews (mostly from the late 1980s and 1990s), letters, and audiotapes, and the resulting collection reveals much about the workings of the Brotherhood and Hapgood's relationship with its members. The correspondence in particular paints a vivid picture of daily life on the commune and relationships between Michael Metelica and other commune members. The question of whether the Brotherhood was a commune or a cult is a subjective one with no definitive answer, but through the correspondence, histories (oral and written), and publications, it is possible to get a glimpse into the inner-life of the largest commune in New England.

This series contains numerous articles and newspaper clippings about the Brotherhood, several newsletters and publications published by the Brotherhood, programs, announcements, notes, flyers, radio interviews with Metelica, Hapgood and others, poetry, group e-mails and pamphlets of events for former members. The bulk of the correspondence in this series is written to Metelica from various brotherhood members; these letters are filed under the name of the writer but it cases of single and unidentified letters they are filed under "Correspondence: Metelica, Michael." Most other correspondence pertains to legal, business and music matters or is communication between Hapgood and various commune members. Also included in this series are oral histories taken, for the most part, by Hapgood, written histories, collective journals kept by Brotherhood members, a lecture to Metelica through Elwood Babbitt, documents pertaining to musical group, "Spirit in Flesh," remaining documents of Daniel Pritchett, a former Renaissance Community member, reports from the Greenfield Welfare Department and a signed statement by members of the Brotherhood.

However much some may question Elwood Babbitt's true powers as a psychic, his channeling sessions, slowly and painfully transcribed by Hapgood, had an undeniable effect on the people who bore witness. Babbitt was the spiritual advisor of the Brotherhood in the early years and his influence on Michael Metelica, while ultimately unknowable, may have played a huge role in the politics of the Brotherhood. He also started two alternative schools, Opie Mountain and Caduceus School and was at one point taken to court for not sending his sons to public school.

This series consists mainly of trance lectures through Babbitt and transcribed by Hapgood. He channeled various figures such as Albert Einstein, Krishna, Jesus, Edgar Cayce, Cornelius and James Parker Mills but none more than the Hindu god Vishnu, whom Babbitt channeled for most of 1970. Numerous documents pertaining to Opie Mountain are included in this series such as membership lists, newsletters, progress reports, resource information, legal documents, events, lectures, articles and announcements. Also included are manuscripts of Joseph Armellino's "Autobiography of Elwood Babbitt," correspondence, trance lectures through Babbitt's wife, Daria Babbitt, book notes, a manuscript of "Dare the Vision and Endure," information on Caduceus School and oral histories by Hapgood, Elwood Babbitt and Emily Babbitt.

Hapgood was a prodigious writer and nowhere is this more evident in her correspondence. The detail and thought of each letter provides a clear window into Hapgood's compassion and human understanding. The sheer volume of people that have passed through Hapgood's life are also evident in this series. Some of correspondence, such as with friends Steve O'Rourke, Ardy and artist Beatrice Wood, spanned for several decades. Hapgood also kept in touch with several former member of the Brotherhood such as Lois Sellers, David Schonbrunn, Alaina Snipper and Rachel Goldstein. These letters are interesting because they discuss the Brotherhood and Michael Metelica with the benefit of time and distance. Hapgood's correspondence with prison inmates, Mark Defriest, Gregory Powell Lateef and others offer concrete evidence of Hapgood's generosity and faith in the human spirit.

After retiring from Greenfield Community College, Hapgood worked tirelessly on her writing projects. Hapgood's need to record the events of her life and those around her is evident in talking with her and reading her work. When talking to Hapgood, many times she answers questions about the past by saying, "it's in the book!" Several of her books, "Heirs of Fission-Pioneers of Fusion," "88 Main Street" and "Tidal Wave in Our Time" record the history of the Brotherhood, her home in Northfield that she eventually gave to the Brotherhood and the ramifications of the atom bomb on her children's generation. Other titles such as "Fire Weed Flowers," Musings from Benie's Notebook," and "Beyond Musings" are collections of poetry of poetry and other writing by Hapgood and others.

Materials in this series pertain to Hapgood's life as a professional graphologist, a psychology professor at Greenfield Community College (GCC) and a self-appointed educator. Graphology materials include newsletters, correspondence, articles by Hapgood and her ex-husband, Bob Backman, notes, meeting notes and academic papers. Other materials documenting Hapgood's professional life include activities reports from GCC, course materials, documents from the International Student's Program, proposals for classes, resumes, letters of recommendation and resignation, newspaper clippings, and correspondence. Also documented in this series are Hapgood's work with Campus Free College, Creative Growth Counseling, Elder Services, Rowe Liberation Camp, GCC Opportunity Center, Peace Valley Farm and "Being a Parent Today" workshops.

Hapgood's work with the Arcane School compromises the majority of this series. The Arcane School is an esoteric school that Hapgood was involved with throughout the 1970s. This series contains Hapgood's correspondence, monthly reports and lectures from her work with the Arcane School. For two years in the late 1970s, Hapgood studied at Findhorn Institute in Scotland and her correspondence, notes, exercises, oral histories and articles from this period are included in this series. One World Fellowship, an organization started by Hapgood in the mid-1970s, was a spiritual group but ultimately morphed into her publishing company. Agendas, announcements, by-laws, correspondence, membership lists, meeting notes, newsletters, a proposal for tax-exempt status and events from One World fellowship are housed within this series. There is also a considerable amount of printed material on organizations such as The Pond, Seed Group International, Society for a Conscious Evolution, The World Congress Foundation, Planetary Citizens, Planetary Initiative and Traprock Peace Center. Additionally, writings, newsletters and correspondence of Ellafern (Mata) Poindexter, an accomplished poet and yogi, is included in this series.

The majority of this series contains Hapgood's personal journals. Most of these are handwritten with the exception of "car tapes" which are transcribed by Hapgood from tape recordings made while driving. The journals provide great insight into the people in Hapgood's life and help establish a timeline for events of the Hapgood family and, through her personal relationship with Michael Metelica, the Brotherhood of the Spirit. This series also contains the writings of other people such as Mark Defriest, Craig Gerard, Cathy Drew, Ray Hargreaves, Marishka Kuzontkoski, Pamela Mikalson, Irene Resenfeld, Gregory Powell Lateef, Joel Stanley, Walker Thomas, Cliff Tobey, Scott Hunter and several unknown authors. Additionally, interviews and oral histories with Hapgood's friends Ardy, Martha B. Hoagland, Ted Martineau and Stanley Joel, artwork, notes, prayers, quotations, articles, political and Native American literature and parapsychology readings are included in this series.

The Hapgood Family has a long history in this country that dates back to the 18th century in Petersham, Massachusetts. Hapgood's parents, Norman and Elizabeth Reynolds Hapgood, were respected writers and prominent figures. Her father was the editor of Harper's Weekly and wrote books on Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and others. Her mother was a linguist who helped establish the Russian department at Dartmouth College and served as primary translator to Stanislavski, the famed Russian acting teacher. Her uncle, Hutchins Hapgood was married to writer Neith Boyce with whom he founded the Providence Players theater group. Her other uncle, William Powers Hapgood founded the first worker owned corporation and was instrumental in the labor struggle during the first early part of the 20th century. Writing, correspondence and other miscellaneous materials from all these people and, in some cases their children, is included in this series. Additionally, there is considerable correspondence between Hapgood, her children (Steven St. Clair, Amy Goepp, Bea-Beth St. Clair, Tina Visscher, Eva Langlois, Jonny St. Clair), grandchildren, and former husbands (Bob St. Clair, Bob Backman). The locations of other Hapgood family collections, Hapgood family materials dating from the 19th century and the history of Petersham, Massachusetts are also included in this series.

The bulk of this series consists of audiotapes of interviews with former members of the Brotherhood of the Spirit and trance lectures of Elwood Babbitt. Most of these are transcribed and can be found in either Series 1 or 2 (Brotherhood of the Spirit and Elwood Babbitt). There are also other interviews with a number of Hapgood's friends or contributors to her work. These can be generally found, transcribed in Series 7 (Personal). Other audiotapes included in this series are radio interviews with Beth Hapgood, graphology lectures, radio shows, interviews from Findhorn, personal journal entries ("car tapes") and other unidentified cassettes. The reel to reel subseries consists mostly of Elwood Babbitt trance lectures, some of which are to Michael Metelica. The videotapes pertain mostly to Renaissance Community and Elwood Babbitt. Both the photographs and the scrapbooks include photos of the Hapgood family, the Brotherhood of the Spirit, Elwood Babbitt and other unidentified people.

This series contains newspaper clippings collected by Beth Hapgood. They cover a variety of topics including small presses in Massachusetts and the 1960s generation.