The Penny Furgerson papers date from 1957 to 2006 and measure 10 linear inches. The papers are arranged in four series: Biographical information, GatewayDance Theatre, Indo-American Association of Des Moines, and Professional.

The Biographical information series (1957-2003 and undated) includes newspaper clippings about Furgerson, announcements of the Furgersons' wedding in various newspapers, Furgerson's resume, the funeral program of Furgerson's grandmother, Dr. Anna Chandy Thomas, papers pertaining to the Furgersons' sons and their musical band, and an undated family photo of Lee and Penny Furgerson with their three young sons. The correspondence includes letters from Furgerson's mother and grandmother in India, and letters from her husband, Lee B. Furgerson. The letters from Lee Furgerson are on a disc, and hard copies have also been printed and included in the correspondence folder. In these letters, Lee Furgerson relates the racial barriers he encounters trying to find suitable housing for himself and his bride in the early 1960s.

The Gateway Dance Theatre series (1971-2006) constitutes the bulk of the collection. It includes administrative records (a list of board members includes Edna Griffin), dance programs, correspondence about the dance company, information on the classes and workshops sponsored by the theatre, materials on teaching dance to children, and details on the theatre's performances around the state. Publicity materials, including a photo of three Gateway dancers, and information on various art programs in Des Moines and Iowa reflect the Furgersons' efforts to provide performance opportunities for their dancers. In one disappointing turn of events, Furgerson wrote a letter respectfully declining to perform in the 1974 Midwest regional performance of the Second World Festival in Chicago because one of the requirements for participation was that all members of the company be of Afro-American descent. As Furgerson explained, although 98% of the company was African-American, she herself was Indian, and one of the primary dancers was white. "Rhythms of the World", a DVD of a program aired on Iowa Public Television's Living in Iowa in 2005, completes the series. The segment features an interview with Furgerson and footage of rehearsals and performances of the Gateway Dance Company.

The Indo-American Association of Des Moines series (1974-1997) consists of membership lists, treasurer's reports, incorporation papers, and flyers. Furgerson served on the executive committee of the association, which was formed by those interested in Indian culture.

The Professional series (1974-1994) consists of items related to Furgerson's employment with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa (BCBS). The memorandums cover a variety of pharmacological programs including home infusion therapy and provider payment programs. Correspondence, performance evaluations, and job descriptions in this series depict tension between Furgerson and her employer: documents describe repeated efforts by Furgerson to obtain an office which suited her position, and disagreements over job duties and evaluations; a letter from Des Moines civil rights attorney Alfredo Parrish to BCBS is included. Lee B. Furgerson also worked for BCBS in the 1970s, and documents relating to his tenure as chair of the Humans Relations Council are included. An information brochure advertising a diabetic cookie company started by the Furgersons completes the series.