The Ethel N. Calhoun papers date from 1855 to 1964 and measure 2.7 linear feet. The records are arranged in four series: Diaries (1900-1964), Family (1855-1902), Scrapbook (1880-1959), and Writings (1958-1960).

The Diaries series (1900-1964) consists of annual diaries written by Ethel Calhoun with many of them containing Calhoun’s original poetry, newspaper clippings, and letters to Calhoun alongside her daily diary entries.

The Family series (1855-1902) consists of letters and diaries written by Ethel Calhoun’s mother, Eliza Nelson, along with a photograph of Eliza Nelson’s mother, Elizabeth Clark Kennedy.

The Scrapbook series (1880-1959) holds Ethel Calhoun’s scrapbook that she made from a high school jewelry catalog in 1937. The scrapbook is filled with favorite newspaper clippings, Calhoun’s published writings, obituaries, and loose photographs of Calhoun’s children and family.

The Writings series (1958-1960) contains some of Ethel Calhoun’s stories about her childhood memories around the 1890s, along with a handwritten book of poetry written by Calhoun. Also included is Calhoun’s notebook.