The Elizabeth Wherry papers measure 5 linear feet and date from 1904 to 1960. The papers are arranged in six series: Domestic life, Education, Family, Writings for adults, Writings for children, and Audiovisual. This collection documents the personal and professional life of a writer known for her articles on farming and women's rural issues, and for her stories and poems for children.

The Wherrys kept detailed accounts relating to the management of their Wyoming, Iowa farm. Elizabeth Wherry's personal papers, such as recipes, diaries, photographs and a scrapbook, relate to the interior management of the farm. Her diaries span from 1932 to 1953. The photographs include undated pictures of Wherry and her immediate family. These papers are located in the Domestic life series (1919-1960).

In the Education series(1909-1951) Wherry's college notebooks reflect her studies in children's education and sociology. At the State University of Iowa in 1949, she took a sociology course entitled "Problems of marriage and family," in which she conducted a survey of widows.

The Family series (1904-1960)contains correspondence, newspaper clippings and documents pertaining to the Cripliver and Wherry families.

The Writings for adults series (1920-1956) consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and manuscripts that relate to the essays, fiction, newspaper articles, plays, poetry, speeches, and radio programs Wherry wrote for an adult audience. In the late twenties and thirties she compiled notes and transcripts toward a history of Iowa pioneers, based on her ancestors' personal experiences.

Wherry published numerous works for children, including essays, fiction, articles for Better Homes and Gardens, poetry, and non-fiction. The newspaper clippings, manuscripts, and papers pertaining to these works are found in the Writings for children series (1928-1942).

The audiovisual series contains several slides depicting farm life in the 1940s.