The William Peters Collection contains two photograph albums created by Peter to document his family, friends, and life in St. Louis from 1915-1922. These albums show activities related to the war effort, as well as Peters’ family and friends enjoying recreational activities and civic events. Both albums include detailed captions that identify and date the photographs. Photographs taken during the war show soldiers and sailors, often in uniform, before leaving for training camps, while home on furlough, and after being discharged. Peters also documents the parades that welcomed returning soldiers. In addition, photographs show the many war activities that impacted life on the home front, including advertising and parades to promote the Liberty Loan campaigns; crowds and Red Cross Volunteers greeting troop trains passing through St. Louis; and Armistice Day celebrations. Photographs of recreational activities show family and friends posed outside their homes, as well as participating in activities such as picnics and swimming. Peters also documented a variety of civic events in St. Louis, including the meeting of the 1915 Board of Aldermen.

The collection also includes 26 cabinet cards showing studio portraits of men and women, most of whom are unidentified. The cards date from approximately 1870-1890, in addition to one carte de visite showing an unidentified Civil War soldier. Most of the cards feature stamps from photographers in the St. Louis area, although several of the cards are from Portland, Oregon.

In addition, the collection includes William Peters’ funeral card, dated December 28, 1926, and the Louisiana Purchase Exposition stockholder’s photo ID card of a woman from Oregon.

A box of newspaper research contains articles that discuss the events shown in a selection of photographs. Newspaper research was conducted by intern Lauren Pey in the summer of 2008.