This collection includes records created by Dorothy Shepherd and Anne Wardwell between 1953 and 1997. Prior to 1953 it was the museum's practice to consolidate curatorial records in the Director's office. Therefore, the correspondence of Gertrude Underhill can be found in the records of Frederick A. Whiting and William M. Milliken.

The organization of the records prior to being processed is somewhat unclear therefore an artificial arrangement scheme has been imposed. The records are arranged into four series: collection catalog, correspondence, subject files, and research materials. The records reflect the research interests of the curators. Much of the correspondence and most of the research material deal with the subjects of the Buyid silks, Italian Gothic silks, gold threads in silk, and Near Eastern and Asian textiles. Records are arranged either chronologically and alphabetically thereunder or alphabetically by subject.