The collection contains correspondence from Frank Alvah Parsons, president of the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (later, Parsons School of Design), to alumni James Wilfrid Kerr and Rose Netzorg Kerr, in addition to a short manuscript written by James Wilfrid Kerr upon Parsons' death. The tribute relates Kerr's experiences as a World War One veteran studying art under Parsons' tutelage.

Frank Alvah Parsons (1866-1930) began as an instructor at the New York School of Art in 1904. He became director in 1911, renaming the school the New York School of Fine and Applied Art to reflect his reorientation of the institution toward practical design disciplines. The school was later renamed to honor his leadership. The collection consists of published editions of Parsons' lectures, and prints he used to illustrate them.

Margaret McKay Tee (1882-1955) came to New York from Cripple Creek, Colorado in 1902 to attend Cooper Union. Frank Alvah Parsons later hired Tee as a student instructor at the New York School of Art. After returning to Colorado, Tee carried on a correspondence with Parsons. Tee's papers include letters from Parsons, photographs of Tee's paintings, and an autobiographical essay relating Tee's upbringing and her experiences as a young art student.