The Shirley Rich papers date from 1929 to 2010 and measure 12.5 linear inches. The papers are arranged in seven series: Biographical material, Childhood and Education, Smith College, The University of Iowa, Professional files, Photographs, and Artifacts. The bulk of the material relates to Rich's career in theater. In many cases, Rich has identified (with handwritten notes) the date and/or context of the item. The first series, Biographical material (1950-2010) includes lists of Rich's casting accomplishments, her entry from "Who's Who in Entertainment", newspaper clippings, a copy of the University of Iowa's Dividends magazine, in which Rich was featured for her gifts to the university, and a photocopy of the speech she delivered upon receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Iowa in 1994. Obituaries and memorials complete the series. The Childhood and Education series (1940-1944) consists of photographs, newspaper clippings, and letters from former teachers which relate to Rich's activities, performances, and achievements. Also included is a copy of her Ottumwa high school yearbook from 1940. The Smith College series (1944-2007) consists of correspondence and newspaper clippings from Rich's days at Smith as well as those relating to her ongoing relationship with Smith. This series also contains a scrapbook which documents her performances and other theater-related activities at Smith. The University of Iowa series (1940-2010) contains correspondence and newspaper clippings from 1940 when she matriculated at the university to enter the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater program. It continues with her ongoing contributions to The University of Iowa. The Alumni Achievement Award that she received in 1994 is highlighted in this series. Audiocassettes include a lecture by Shirley Rich Krohn given at the University of Iowa Theater Department in 1978 and an interview recorded in 1992 by Peter Ullian at the University of Iowa Theatre in which Krohn discusses her thoughts on the University of Iowa Theatre Department. The Professional files series (1940-2008) includes newspaper clippings (spanning four decades) concerning reviews or descriptions of performances with which Rich was involved, as well as interviews with Rich. Articles from Iowa newspapers describe her Iowa roots. Correspondence (sparsely covering four decades) includes a letter from Rod Steiger (September 3, 1965), and a few notes from Richard Rodgers (1950). Also included in this series is a radio script from 1947 when Rich, along with an unemployed actor, was interviewed on the Margaret Arlen show. Photographs (1939-1990) feature Rich as well as Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Hallie Flanagan Davis, Jackie Cooper and Rod Steiger. Artifacts (1925-1994) range from an antique typewriter to various collectables from her professional career such as the Kramer vs. Kramer gavel and a glass CSA Hoyt Bowers Award, 1990. Various personally engraved tankards from friends and colleagues accompany a "Three Days of the Condor" excellence in casting award from 1975.