The collection consists of papers of and about John Ball, particularly relating to his journey to Oregon with Nathaniel J. Wyeth's expedition and his observations during that journey. Except for two items, the contents are either typescript copies or microfilm of the originals. The two original items are: a February 24, 1833, letter from Ball to Amos Eaton, describing the meteorological and geological observations Ball had made on his journey; and a copy of an article by Ball about the geography and geology of the Northwest, published in the American Journal of Science and Arts.

Typescript copies of Ball's papers in this collection include additional correspondence and meteorological notes that Ball made during his time with Nathaniel J. Wyeth's expedition and at Fort Vancouver, and lectures that Ball delivered about his meteorological and geological observations of the western United States. Correspondents in the collection include Ball's family, Amos Eaton, Hall J. Kelley, and Benjamin Silliman. The microfilm in this collection consists of the originals for most of these materials. The microfilm also contains additional correspondence and documents preceding Ball's journey westward; Ball's 1874 autobiography; and an article about the geology of the Cascade Mountains.

The collection also contains a folder of the correspondence of Ball's daughters, Lucy Ball and Kate W. Ball Powers, with Eva Emery Dye, George H. Himes, Frederick G. Young, and others about Ball and his papers.