The Palmer-Gavit Family Papers include the correspondence, writings, genealogy, scrapbooks, photographs, and articles pertaining to the entire Gavit family. The collection also contains correspondence, reference materials, scrapbooks, record books and writings related to Erastus Dow Palmer and Walter Launt Palmer.

Walter Launt Palmer (1854-1932) was born in Albany, New York, and became a prominent landscape painter. This collection includes diaries, correspondence, personal papers, studio books, and photographs.