The collection consists of papers of and about the blind composer Francis Richter. Most of the paperes are musical scores and lyrics, including scorebooks for Richter's comic opera "The Grand Nazar," which he co-wrote with George L. Hutchin as a teenager; his first symphony, "Symphonie in C Minor"; his orchestral work, "Tone Pictures"; and shorter pieces that he wrote or arranged. Other musical materials in the collection include sheet music and lyrics by others that Richter transcribed or collected, including a Braille transcription of Camille Saint Saën's "The Swan"; and vinyl recordings of Richter performing various works. Personal and family papers consist of correspondence, primarily letters that Richter wrote to his future wife, Clara Rahn; photographs of Richter throughout his life; two scrapbooks containing clippings, music programs, correspondence, and photographs; concert programs; loose clippings; an account of a 1929 trip to New York; and a eulogy delivered at Richter's memorial service. The collection also includes biographical information about Richter that was compiled by Mary Sue Waser and Karen K. French, and an essay about Richter's life by Ron Symons that Symons sent to Richter's widow. Some lyrics and clippings in the collection are in German or French.