The Swope and DeLand Families papers date from 1882 to 1997 and measure five linear inches. The papers are arranged in four series corresponding to four women in the families: Sarah Jane Buell Swope, Ida Sherman DeLand, Mary Lurene Swope DeLand, and Barbara DeLand Kearney.

The Sarah Jane Buell Swope (1841-1918) series consists of undated reminiscences about her marriage and years as a widow.

The Ida Sherman DeLand series includes an 1882 autograph album, a diary written between 1905 and 1934, a photocopy of this diary, and a fiftieth wedding anniversary album. The diary recounts daily activities of this civic leader, wife, mother, and grandmother. The anniversary album includes newspaper clippings about the DeLands, photocopies of photographs of the DeLands, and a list of over 450 guests.

The Mary Lurene Swope DeLand series includes a 1921 wedding album, and reminiscences written by Mary Lurene Swope in 1978, the year before she died. They describe her mother, Jessie West Swope, and recount her father's rise in business and real estate. They also relate her childhood experiences, her college days at Western Female College in Oxford, Ohio, and the maids she employed. They do not mention the muscular dystrophy that precipitated her death.

The Barbara DeLand Kearney series includes subject files of four writers (including the donor) and peace activities in the Storm Lake area. The files include biographical information and newspaper articles about Kearney. There are also newspaper articles, publisher's briefs, interviews, and correspondence, dating from 1983-1997, of author Marjorie Holmes. A subject file for local poet Catherine Bonham includes her poetry and newspaper articles about her from 1986-1998. The file of Danuta Hutchins, a Russian-born translator, artist, and writer contains a poem, photographs, notes, and newspaper articles about her from 1979-1989. Other subject files contain papers relating o the Buena Vista Peace Network, a Peace Lantern Exchange in 1986, the opening of the Iowa Peace Institute in Grinnell, the Storm Lake Peace Choir, and other events mainly in the 1980s.