The Zella May Gerber papers date from 1943 to 1947 and measure 4 linear inches. The papers are arranged in four series: Biography, Alaska, Ethiopia, and Tennessee.

The Biography series contains the prayer card from Gerber's funeral and two poems written by Gerber, one for her father on his 84th birthday.

The Alaska series contains materials from Gerber's 1943 tour-of-duty as a secretary on the Haines Military Cut-Off Road project. The series consists of a humorous cartoon apparently drawn by a colleague, autographs and comments from Gerber's co-workers, a map of the Canadian Railway system and Gerber's ticket-stub, humorous correspondence including a handmade birthday card Gerber received, invitations to numerous parties held on the base, and several typed poems that may be original work written by Gerber and/or her co-workers. The Alaska series also contains a map of the Haines Cut-Off Road project and a certificate acknowledging Gerber's participation in the project. The handwritten "My Alaskan trip" is a description of Gerber's sojourn from St. Paul, Minnesota to Alaska. The description also covers Gerber's climb up Mt. Rapinski three months after her arrival in Alaska. Two folders of photographs of  personnel and scenery complete the series. Many of the photographs have identifying descriptions written on the back.

The Ethiopia series consists entirely of photographs.

The Tennessee series includes materials on the Oak Ridge atomic bomb project. Materials include a personnel chart, an autographed map, and a certificate acknowledging Gerber's participation in the building of the atomic bomb. The Tennessee series also contains a brochure with photographs and descriptions of Oak Ridge City and a manual for residents of the city describing the rules and regulations for living on a restricted military base. Two photocopied photographs include Gerber's identifications of various buildings. The series contains several newspaper articles regarding the Oak Ridge military installation and concerns about sabotage. Loose photographs are undated. A few of them are identified. The scrapbook contains photographs and postcards that Gerber collected on some of the outings she and her co-workers took to nearby state parks.