The collection consists primarily of letters written by Mary Lapham during her time with the Red Cross. The letters document Lapham's day-to-day activities from March 1918, when her ship sailed from New York City, until she returned to the United States in January 1920. The letters are posted from Paris, La Rochelle, and towns across Brittany in France; also, Prague, Petrovatz, Marienbad, and the Children's Camp at Nizni Smokovec in Czechoslovakia.

In addition to the letters from Lapham, there are several photographs and postcards. Reports Lapham wrote about the dispensary and the children's camp are included in her writings. There are also copies of articles concerning Dr. Alice Masaryk of Czechoslovakia and Countess Teleki of Budapest that Dr. Lapham tried to have published in the United States.

Also included in the collection are letters to Dr. Lapham and miscellaneous materials, newspapers clippings, and telegraphs relating to her time in Europe.