The majority of the papers within the collection are copies of writings created by various
press and radio writers that were given to Gapen and were presumedly published. These were
written primarily between 1943 and 1953 while Gapen was working as the Chief of Information
at the Department of Agricultural Engineering and as an Information Specialist in the
Agricultural Research Service of the USDA. These press and radio releases are mostly unnamed
and often undated, though they are loosely organized by year. They cover a wide range of
agriculture related topics. Most are carbon copies, but others are on printer paper. There
are also some full issues of USDA's "The Bulletin". Some of the press releases were written
by Gapen, and an index of his releases written in 1943-1945 is included in the collection.
The collection also holds other writings by Charles Gapen. This includes both published
and unpublished poetry, short stories, and other prose, including a collection of verse and
prose put together by Gapen's secretary, Kathryn Dillis, as well as completed manuscripts
that Gapen intended to publish but did not. There are also photographs of Gapen in the
collection, as well as newspaper articles about him, including his retirement and obituary.
The collection also contains correspondence between Gapen and others, some regarding his
literary career and attempts to publish his own writings, and some pertaining to
departmental correspondence within the USDA. Also included are brochures and postcards about
Watkins Glen and Finger Lakes in New York, and handwritten notes by Gapen regarding these
locations.
Throughout various parts of the collection there are notes on small pieces of paper
written to provide context about Gapen or certain records. The creator of these notes is not
identified.
