The collection dates from 1861 to 1925 and is arranged alphabetically. It is comprised primarily of six scrapbooks kept by Martha Ann (Mattie) Anderson Waller containing items dated from 1861 to 1901. There are two documents from Mattie’s older sister, Lizzie Anderson Wright, pertaining to her kindergarten teacher training (1883) and to her membership in the United Daughters of the Confederacy (1925).

The Family Scrapbook (Vol. 1) contains an array of items, beginning with a picture of Robert E. Lee, documents about Major Alexander Anderson’s military service in the Missouri State Guard during the Civil War, and Mattie’s 8th grade diploma and her marriage certificate. There are several pieces of Confederate money and securities issued by both states in the Confederacy and by C.S.A. Army brigades. There is also a war bond issued by the state of Arkansas. Mattie saved several newspaper clippings about her father after the war, including his obituary.

There are seven documents saved by Major Anderson from his military career that are in the Family Scrapbook. The earliest is his appointment as Commissary for the 8th district of the Missouri State Guard (5 July 1861). On 3 March 1862, an order authorized Anderson to enlist and swear in a company for the Commissary Department. There is a special order dated 6 July 1863 at Vicksburg instructing officers to turn over public funds to the United States, two days after the Union victory in the famous battle. In 1865, Anderson was in Alabama with French’s division, of which he was placed in charge by order of Gen. Francis Cockrell on 24 March 1865. By May 1865, he was a prisoner of war. The final three Civil War documents are Anderson’s signed parole of honor (9 May 1865) and his two oaths of loyalty to the United States, one from the state of Alabama and one from the United States.

Mattie saved poems from newspapers, her kindergarten training certificate, an obituary for J. D. Harnett, and an obituary for her young niece (age 3). She also saved clippings relating to the death of Rev. Barton W. Johnson, a neighbor of her parents on Aubert Avenue.

The five remaining scrapbooks all pertain to Lizzie’s kindergarten teacher training in 1891 and 1892. Four of the scrapbooks focus on art and contain examples of techniques taught at the kindergarten level at the end of the 19th century (Vol.3-6). Volume 3 explains what educators expected children to learn from the activities. Volume 2 contains geometry and math exercises, along with songs.

There are certificates belonging to Lizzie Anderson Wright, Mattie’s older sister. Susan Blow signed Lizzie’s kindergarten teacher training certificate in 1883. In 1925, Lizzie became a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.