The collection consists of eleven series: audio recordings (undated), consisting of recordings made by Holmes; correspondence (1918-1962), which includes general correspondence, consisting of the incoming and outgoing correspondence of John Joseph Holmes and miscellaneous correspondence, consisting of correspondence received by his widow in 1962; date books (1949-1952), consisting of four years of Holmes's personal date books; financial records (1929-1961), consisting of personal tax records, receipts, and miscellaneous financial records; memoranda (undated); printed material (undated), consisting of a pamphlet by Holmes and an issue of Democratic Women's Voice with a poem by Holmes; scrapbooks (1932-1961), consisting of six scrapbooks containing photographs, clippings, conference books, brochures, and correspondence regarding Holmes's life, career, and interests; speeches (1946-1950), consisting of speeches given by Holmes before professional and political associations and rallies; writings (undated), consisting of several drafts of "My Trip to Ireland," a number of short stories and examples of Irish folklore, and Holmes's argument in favor of establishing a lottery in Montana; miscellany (1937-1962), consisting of address cards, collected jokes, songs, and stories, religious materials, professional and political certificates, letters of introduction, materials from fraternal organizations, and a materials related to Holmes's death; and clippings (1935-1962), regarding insurance meetings, Montana politics, and the life and death of John J. Holmes.