The earliest papers in the collection are legal documents that Campbell copied or acquired, most of these belonged to Freeman and Silas Godfrey. These documents include land contracts and deeds, receipts, warranty deeds, leases, notary public papers and tax records. Other documents include wills, indentures, mortgages, pension papers and estate papers belonging to various other people.

The bulk of the material is in the form of correspondence, newspaper articles, pamphlets, photos and programs, detailing Campbell' work in numerous societies as well state and local historical agencies. Of note are her files on early Grand Rapids, Louis Campau, Lucius Lyon, William Pangborn, Rix Robinson, the Women's International League for Peace and the city flag. Of the photos, those of particular interest show Campbell and a gathering of YWCA women.

Her correspondence with Frederick Church contains many original Church illustrations. These illustration have been removed to the security file and photocopies have been placed in the collection.

An original graphic item, accessioned as 1986.378, “Sketched from memory by Mr. Clements of Ada, August, 1921, from Mrs. James H. Campbell.”, is located in Safe 1.1. Neg. #3042, 132 & 133 & 134.

The genealogical materials cover the following families: the Bradleys, the Burrs, the Golds, the Hancocks, the Hulls, the Mix's, the Robbins', the Royalls, the Sanfords, the Saxtons, the Shermans, the Squires, the Turners, and the Whites.