The Harper family papers consist of clippings, correspondence, memorabilia, diaries, photographs, and writings. Much of the material relates to activities of Methodists in Louisiana during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Series 1: Clippings (1915-1954) include material related to the 100th anniversary celebration of Louisiana Methodism in 1947, including a letter signed by United States President Harry Truman. Also included are newspaper clippings about the Harper family as well as Robert Henry Harper and his writings.

Series 2: Correspondence (1862-1952) includes letters to and from the Harper family. Subjects include discussion of family members as well as Louisiana Methodist activities. Folder 5 includes letters of condolence related to the death of Jacob Dick Harper. Folder 8 includes letters related to the Methodist Episcopal Church South in New Orleans during Reconstruction. Folder 9 includes letters related to French Mission work; addressed to Jacob Dick Harper from Louis N. Beaudry, A. W. Wilson, and William J. Picot.

Series 3: Memorabilia (1819-1949) includes printed items related to Louisiana Methodists. Folder 10 includes Jacob Dick Harper's ordination records and a deed for land in Saint Landry Parish, Louisiana, from Robert Fryer to Joseph Andrews (1819). Folder 11 includes material from churches served by Robert Henry Harper including programs from First Methodist Episcopal Church South in Baton Rouge and First Methodist Episcopal Church South New Orleans. Folder 12 includes Clara Harper Woolfork's records for becoming a Louisiana teacher.

Series 4: Diaries (1908-1954) consists of pocket calendars noting the daily activities of Dr. Robert Henry Harper. These diaries were kept while he pastored Natchitoches Methodist Episcopal Church South, Parker Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South in New Orleans, Oakdale Methodist Episcopal Church South, First Methodist Episcopal Church South in New Orleans, and Golden Meadow Methodist Church.

Series 5: Photographs (1882-1974) includes images depicting the Harper family as well as people and places related to Louisiana Methodism. Folder 14 includes depictions of Jennie Fox Harper and Jacob Dick Harper. Folder 15 includes depictions of Rev. Joseph Burch Walker, Bishop John Christian Keener, churches, congregations, members of the Louisiana Conference Methodist Episcopal Church South at their annual meeting (1882), a school class on Bayou Schaeffer, a boat built at Morgan City under the direction of Rev. Martin Hebert (circa 1925), and Green Street in Thibodaux, Louisiana (circa 1925).

Series 6: Writings (1897-1956) primarily consists of material related to Dr. Robert Henry Harper’s books and sermons. Harper’s books include Louisiana Methodism (Washington, D.C.: Kaufmann Press, 1949) and In the Land of New Acadie (Nashville, Tenn: Board of Missions, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1930).