The collection is a short, handwritten autobiography by Harrison Conger. Conger was born in Bangor, Franklin County, New York, but emigrated from there to Michigan in 1836. He wrote it in 1892. His autobiography recounts his travel across several waterways to reach Michigan and work done under several men before he settled down after marrying Deniza Ann Seeley in 1839. Conger offered few details regarding the work he did prior to and after he married Deniza. The marriage occurred at the intersection of where Kearsley Creek met the Flint River. Both later settled in Davison Township.

The collection reflects contributions of Corydon Foote during the Civil War and activities of Grand Army of the Republic Post No. 145, sometimes better known as Governor Crapo Post No. 145. Correspondence reveals some activities undertaken by Foote during the war, including marching through Confederate territory past plantations and cotton fields. Foote made no mention of slaves. It is possible he marched through territory liberated by the Union or chose not to mention having seen slaves for reasons unknown. He may have assisted in the looting of civilian homes and farms, though the details in a letter are too spare to know for sure. He wrote a lengthy letter to family about witnessing the execution of a three-time deserter from the Union Army. The letter suggests witnessing death left a deep impression on him. He wrote descriptively of how the deserter’s body acted once shot and of how uncomfortable he felt looking at the ground under which the deserter had been buried. Other records of Foote’s service including papers for a furlough, discharge from the Army, and pension receipts.

Records of Post No. 145 document meetings and finances of the post from the late 1870s to 1936 when the post disbanded for lack of members. Minutes document meetings of the post. Members were frequently referred to as comrades. Reports were read concerning correspondence with individuals and organizations, including other posts, death notices of deceased members, and lectures on various topics, including the war. Records of rosters from the 1870s and 1890s are present. Cash books show how the post received funds, largely in the form of dues, and spent them. Spending them included paying bills or dispensing financial support to members or families of deceased members.

Unconnected to the war is a brief untitled and unauthored history of interurban rail in Flint. The history focuses on the rise and decline of interurban rail. The role of labor factors in it, how much workers were paid and times they went on strike. Financial struggles of many rail lines are detailed as well.

The scrapbooks contain many clippings and other items relating to Flint and Genesee County and areas beyond. Some of them come from the state of Michigan. The scrapbooks are being retained due to containing content regarding the history of the county, including several articles on schools throughout the county.

Loose contents were previously placed into plastic bags. They were removed from these bags and transferred to acid-free folders for better preservation. They retain the organization they were found having in the bags.

Weeding of the scrapbooks was an impossibility as it meant causing significant physical damage.

Correspondence composes the majority of the collection. It details lamps discussions concerning lamps from antiquity to the early modern period. Half of the correspondence details lamps that may or may not have been considered by Sloan Panorama of Transportation for exhibition and lamps that were given consideration for donation and exhibition. The remainder of the collection is an issue of The Reminder, a newsletter published by Genesee County Historical and Museum Society.

The collection consists of four ledgers that document financial activities and sales of Willy and Cumings, who operated wholesale store in the 1860s and 1870s. Both men appear to have kept meticulous track of purchases by them and their customers. Double entry booking was used to track the amount of money available to the store on a daily basis. Most sales are listed as “Cash for Merchandise.” Some sales occurred on credit and entries to record payments done in installments. Occasionally some sales involve the names of products or individuals. The store also prepared prescriptions on the orders of doctors.

The collection consists of occupancy maps of businesses along Saginaw Street in 1931 and 1937. Both maps were digitized due to perceived research interest. Digitized copies are stored in Sloan Museum Digital Collections.