The collection comprises the personal papers of four generations of Meachems in addition to records of various medical societies and institutions, and a few assorted manuscript items the family obtained over the years. There are also numerous manuscript articles and speeches written by both doctors, and reprints of some of them. The photographs are primarily portraits of family, friends, and associates, ca. 1860-1900, including a composite of Racine city officials in 1976.
The collection includes an account book kept by the caretaker of St. Luke's, 1877-1899 (the front of which is devoted to the roll call of an organization called the Belle City Guards, 1871-1872); a medical staff record book of St. Luke's, 1922-1928; a partial record of cases of John, Sr., 1873-1894, including miscellaneous accounts and notes and the beginning of an autobiographical sketch; a scrapbook of newsclippings and a folder of material pertaining to the drive of 1924 to raise funds for the construction of an addition to St. Luke's Hospital; and a minute book of the Racine Hospital Association (first called the Danish Hospital Association),1891-1910, parts of which are written in Danish.
Also included are three diaries of trips taken by John, Jr. and his wife: travels in the United States, 1866-1901; a trip to Europe in 1903; and a trip to his birthplace in New York in 1922, complete with photographs. There is a small folder of miscellaneous notes and correspondence of John, Jr. which was removed from the medical staff record book.
A scrapbook contains newsclippings, 1876-1878, of the Proceedings of the Racine City Council and concerning Meachem's terms as mayor. A second scrapbook, covering the 1870's through 1800's, also contains newsclippings concerning the Council, Meachem, Sr.'s medical practice, and items about local and national figures.
Three items acquired by the Meachems but not connected directly with them are: a Minute Record Book of A Society of the Physicians and Surgeons of the British Army and Navy Stationed in and about New York, 1782-1783, with miscellaneous accounts of a private party, 1801-1821, in the back; a subscription list for a Civil War Monument, 1884-1885; and a sanitation recommendation of 1879.
