The Lucy Van Voorhis White papers date from 1866 to 1932 and measure 12.25 linear inches. The collection is arranged in the following series: Biographical Information, Correspondence, Diaries, Memorabilia, School Work, Teaching Material, Transcripts, and Photographs. This collection is rich in documenting the experiences of rural women in Iowa from the late 1880s to 1930s.

Biographical Information (1880- 1929) includes a newspaper article about Lucy Van Voorhis; a family history written by her; birth, graduation, and wedding announcements; a Van Voorhis family history tracing Lucy Van Voorhis' descendants back to Holland in the year 1660, the year they immigrated to the United States; and a family tree. An account book contains a record of what was earned and spent on the White farm. Prices of eggs and hogs as well as crop estimates are included. There are three autograph books dating from 1880 to 1882, belonging to George Thomas White and Lucy Van Voorhis. Also included in this series is a list of correspondents and genealogical materials concerning Charles S. Van Voorhis and Frank Lemert Van Voorhis, the father and brother of Lucy Van Voorhis White.

The bulk of the collection is Correspondence (1888-1933) written by and to Lucy Van Voorhis White. The letters are arranged by author, except those written between George White and Lucy Van Voorhis during their courtship. These letters are arranged chronologically. The remaining correspondence includes letters from Lucy White's sisters, nieces, nephews, and long-time acquaintances. Included are letters from George's White's mother and George and Lucy White's children. Much of the general correspondence consists of "circle letters", which were circulated among Lucy White's family, each member responding to the original letter. These letters offer a view of the family over a wide span of years, as they grew up and married, moved away, and reflected on the state of affairs in the United States.

The Diaries (1882-1898) kept by Lucy Van Voorhis White date from 1882 to 1897. The Daily Log consists of student grades that Lucy Van Voorhis recorded while teaching primary school and facts and figures relating to farm purchases and inventories, as well as diary entries.

Memorabilia includes a hand made book with locks of hair collected from the White family, and a Certificate of War Service acknowledging Lucy Van Voorhis White's participation on the Women's Committee of the Council of National Defense in 1919. Also included is a small notebook in which Lucy Van Voorhis pasted newspaper clippings about her graduation from Eldora High School, including the speech she gave, and an article on a Van Voorhis family gathering near Benson Hill, Union, Iowa.

School Work (1883-1885) consists of essays and three notebooks. One is undated. These appear to have been used in primary school by Lucy Van Voorhis. Included are physiology drawings, maps of the world, and grammar lessons. The essays were written by her as well.

Teaching Material (1885-1896) contains teaching certificates of George White and Lucy Van Voorhis, as well as letters of recommendation and teaching examination test results.

Typewritten Transcripts ( 1861-1917) were edited by Jeane Van Voorhis White. Jeane White was the daughter of Stanley V. White and granddaughter of Lucy and George White. The transcripts are divided into incoming and outgoing and arranged chronologically. The outgoing correspondence is primarily in the form of circle letters. The outgoing letter from 1861 is from Lucy A. Dennis Van Voorhis to her sister in Ohio concerning Charles Smith Van Voorhis' enlistment in the military. All of the letters written by George and Lucy White in this collection have been transcribed, as well as a few incoming letters. The letters between George and Lucy White are filed separately. Diary and journal entries are arranged by date. Also included are journal excerpts concerning Lucy White's children.

Photographs (1885-1939) include portraits and group shots of the White family and their family farm.