The collection contains music materials, correspondence, writings, photographs and artwork, biographical materials, certificates and honors, programs, clippings, and scrapbooks. The bulk of the collection is comprised of music materials, primarily holograph manuscripts of Carpenter's songs, chamber and orchestral pieces, and dramatic works. Many works contain both the original and at least one revision. A number of the printed scores of Carpenter's music in the collection feature holograph annotations or alterations. A large portion of the correspondence consists of letters from Carpenter to Ellen Borden who became Carpenter's second wife in 1933. Although the letters are largely personal in nature, they do occasionally mention various compositions and productions. The rest of the correspondence contains items written to Carpenter by various colleagues and friends, including George Whitefield Chadwick, Percy Grainger, Frederick Stock, Leopold Stokowski, and Walter Damrosch. There is also considerable correspondence between Carpenter and his publisher, G. Schirmer. The writings include Carpenter's program notes for various works, typescript texts for songs and dramatic works that include emendations in Carpenter's hand, and works by others. In addition there photographs of Carpenter and photographs and watercolors of sets and costumes for Carpenter's stage productions. Three large scrapbooks include not only clippings and programs but also photographs from stage productions and letters received by Carpenter.