The Carl Heinrich Schnauffer Papers date from 1844 to 1871 and contain correspondence, manuscripts in various states of completeness, student notebooks, memorabilia, and miscellaneous items, including a medical chest.

The Schnauffer papers provide a thorough picture of the experiences and political and philosophical development of a German liberal political emigrant who came to the United States after the abortive German revolutions of 1848 to 1849.