The collection is organized by series as follows:

Series I: General Research Notes and Materials    

This series contains research notes made by Sears and records and articles utilized by Sears in his research.  Records include articles, indexes, files, correspondence, newsletters and other materials.  See also Series VIII.

Series II: Berea Essays        

This series contains numerous essays written by Sears about Berea College, the College’s founders and commitments, and the town of Berea.  See also Series VIII.

Series III: Berea College Founders and Presidents

This series contains extensive writings and research on the founding members of Berea College and their families, Berea College presidents, trustees, first students, supporters, area abolitionists, exiles, and African American settlers in the Berea area. See also Series VIII.                                                          

Series IV: Slavery Project 

This series contains an essay on slavery, abolitionism, and social Justice as well as copies of correspondence of abolitionist William Goodell.

Series V: Essays and Reviews

This series contains a number of essays and reviews of articles written by Sears.  Topics of the essays and essays being reviewed primarily regard Camp Nelson, the Civil War, and Berea.

Series VI: Manuscript: Day of Small Things with Handwritten

This series includes a copy of the manuscript of Day of Small Things with handwritten notes by Sears.

Series VII: Sullivan County, Missouri Genealogical Collection

This series contains a copy of Sears’ Sullivan County, Missouri, Genealogical Collection and a CD containing files regarding the writing of the book.

Series VIII: Research on Kentucky, Camp Nelson and Berea Histories

This series contains records and articles utilized by Sears in his research on the subjects of Kentucky, Camp Nelson and Berea (including Berea College).  Records include copies of letters, photographs, articles and clippings, census, notes by Sears, three ledgers of handwritten research notes, and other materials.  See also Series I, II and III.

Richard D. Sears was Professor of English and Theatre, 1967-2010, and the Chester D. Tripp Chair in Humanities at Berea College.  He has published numerous books and articles on various aspects of Kentucky history including the abolitionist movement, Camp Nelson, and Madison County.  In particular, Sears devoted many years to researching and writing about the origins of Berea College and it founding members and families.

Sears, Richard D. -- 1940-

Abolitionists -- Kentucky -- Biography.
African American history.
Antislavery movements -- Kentucky.
Antislavery movements -- United States -- History -- 19th century -- Sources.
Appalachian Region, Southern -- History.
Babbitt family.
Berea (Ky.) -- Genealogy.
Berea (Ky.) -- Race relations.
Berea, (Ky.)
Berea College
Berea College -- Faculty
Berea College -- History
Berea College -- Presidents
Camp Nelson (Ky.) -- History.
College integration -- Kentucky -- Berea -- History -- 19th century.
Davis family.
Embree family.
Fairchild, Edward Henry -- 1815-1889
Fairchild family.
Fee, John Gregg -- 1816-1901
Freedmen -- Kentucky.
Frost family.
Gilman family.
Kentucky -- Race relations -- History -- 20th century.
Madison County (Ky.) -- Genealogy.
Madison County (Ky.) -- History.
Rogers family.