The Moran Papers comprise handwritten and typewritten primary sources as well as typed transcriptions of these sources. The collection includes correspondence, account books, published and unpublished manuscripts, autobiographical and biographical sketches, miscellaneous notes, published and unpublished articles, drafts of articles and manuscripts, diaries, newspaper and periodical clippings, photographs, pamphlets, and inventories of paintings and etchings, all related to the life and career of the artist Thomas Moran.

Collection summary derived from "Guidebook to Manuscripts", 1969: Thomas Moran (1837-1926) was born in Bolton, England, and came to this country in 1844. The National Park program probably originated as a result of his scenic paintings of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite areas, and because of his active interest in the preservation of public lands of beauty and grandeur. This collection consists of letters to and from Moran, manuscript notes for articles, sketchbooks with pencil notations, and many lists of paintings which Moran did and those he sold-some with prices received, some including prices Moran thought they should be worth. Included also are a number of biographical sketches taken from various magazines written by such authors as Fritiof Fryxell, Harriet Sisson Gillespie, and some unpublished manuscripts (biographies) by his daughter, Ruth Moran. Many brochures concerning his exhibits are also included in the collection.