The collection includes images and documents relating to or collected by James Christensen and his family. Material that appears to have been collected by James includes programs, booklets and fliers from various organizations, including high school commencements and plays, theatre programs and a church history.

A photograph album, soldier's handbook, portrait and military record relate to John M. Christensen's time serving in the United States Army during the Phillipine-American War. The photograph album shows candid images of life in the Phillipines during the war and includes American soldiers, Filipinos, scenery, buildings and a cock fight.

Also included are images from Eileen Worfel Christensen's family. These include family portraits and a series of glass negatives showing scenes around Grand Rapids circa 1900. The images include a photograph of Susan Howell Worfel standing on Center/Central Avenue (now Sheldon Avenue), with Central Avenue School and South Congregational Church (now St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church) behind her. Central Avenue School was built in 1875, renamed Sheldon School circa 1912 and demolished and replaced with the current structure circa 1915/1916. This photograph may be one of only a few images of the original school building.