The collection consists of a random grouping of ambrotypes, daguerreotypes and tintypes; all photographic techniques popular in the United States from the late 1830’s to the turn of the century (19th into 20th). Most of the collection, like the predominant subject matter of these photographic processes, are portraits. Some landscape photography was done using each of the three photographic techniques; few survive. Landscape photography would blossom with the advent of the “paper process” which, though still cumbersome by today’s standards, was much less cumbersome than the equipment and process required, even for the tintype.

This collection contains advertisements, business documents, correspondence, lists, petitions, photographs, printed materials, stamps, and writings. All materials within this collection are from the ancestors of Jane Kennard Gilmore's grandmother, Helen L. Stebbins (nee Kennard). These ancestors include members of the Childs, Fairchilds, Ledyards, and Stebbins families.