The collection contains correspondence, school and university records, photographs; papers, commissions and badges relating from military service in the First World War for Jack Fryer and his brothers who served in World War One. There are papers relating to the Fryer Family and the establishment of the Fryer Memorial Library of Australian Literature.

Personal papers, correspondence, manuscripts, diaries, notes, photos, slides, taped lectures (C.L.F.), maps, plans, pamphlets, newspaper clippings and miscellaneous publications, as well as a stamp collection.

This collection comprises Don Watson’s various contributions to architecture in Queensland as a designer, historian, teacher and advocate. It includes papers relating to his work in creating the Queensland Architectural Archive within the Fryer Library; his work while with the University of Queensland Department of Architecture especially the lunch time lecture programs; the 'Architecture as a Community Art' public lecture program; and his work with Queensland University of Technology as a lecturer.