The collection is divided into five series: University of Illinois, Indiana University, Sangamon State University, Research and Projects, and Correspondence. Primarily documents, the collection also includes a small amount of photographs, audiocassettes, and film.

Series I: University of Illinois, 1959-1961 consists of material relating to courses taken by Davis as a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Arranged chronologically.

Series II: Indiana University, 1964-1971 contains material relating to Davis’ time at Indiana University and is divided into two sub-series: University Administration and Courses Taught.

Series II, Sub-series A: University Administration, 1964-1971 contains material relating to Davis’ administrative duties as Associate Dean of the Junior Division from 1967 to 1970 and Director of the Lilly Program in American History from 1965-1967. Arranged alphabetically.

Series II, Sub-series B: Courses Taught, 1964-1970 contains materials relating to courses taught by Davis. Arranged according to course title.

Series III: Sangamon State University, 1964-1994 contains material relating to Davis’ time at Sangamon State University and is divided into five sub-series: University Administration, History Program Administration, Courses Taught, Oral History, and Clayville Rural Life Center.

Series III, Sub-series A: University Administration, 1970-1994 contains material relating to Davis’ administrative duties at Sangamon State University, both in official positions as Vice President for Academic Affairs and as a member of various committees. Arranged alphabetically.

Series III, Sub-series B: History Program Administration, 1971-1990 contains material relating to the administration of the history program at Sangamon State University. Arranged alphabetically.

Series III, Sub-series C: Courses Taught, 1964-1993 contains material relating to courses taught by Davis at Sangamon State University. Arranged alphabetically. Some folders relating to courses on African American History and the Springfield Race Riot of 1908 have content warnings for racially offensive language and images.

Series III, Sub-series D: Oral History, 1972-1990 contains material relating to Davis’ work in Oral History, including the Oral History Program at SSU, specific projects such as the Voices of American Homemakers and those documenting the Illinois State Government, and various conferences, workshops, and presentations attended or given by Davis. Arranged alphabetically.

Series III, Sub-series E: Clayville Rural Life Center, 1972-1986 contains material relating to the Clayville Rural Life Center, including the original project proposal, oral histories conducted with craftspeople, and photographs. Arranged alphabetically.

Series IV: Research and Projects, circa 1908-1984 contains material relating to Davis’s academic research and civic and academic projects, and is divided into four sub-series: The Springfield Race Riot of 1908, Lincoln’s Thought and the Present, Futurism, and Civic Engagement.

Series IV, Sub-series A: The Springfield Race Riot of 1908, circa 1908-1975 contains material relating to the Springfield Race Riot of 1908, including Davis’ research, reproductions of primary sources, and slides for a presentation given by Davis. Arranged alphabetically. Some folders have content warnings for racially offensive language and images.

Series IV, Sub-series B: Lincoln’s Thought and the Present, 1975-1976 contains material relating to a conference on Lincoln, papers submitted for the conference, and Davis’ efforts to compile them into a book for publication. Arranged in original order.

Series IV, Sub-series C: Futurism, 1966-1983 contains material relating to Davis’ research on futurism. Arranged alphabetically.

Series IV, Sub-series D: Civic Engagement, 1962-1984 contains material relating to Davis’ involvement with the City of Springfield, including the Citizens United for Responsible Education (CURE) and their efforts to desegregate the Springfield Public Schools and planning for Springfield’s bicentennial celebration. Arranged alphabetically.

Series V: Correspondence, 1958-1983 contains personal and professional correspondence. Arranged chronologically.