The Charles R. Ely collection consist of notes, loose pages, receipts, advertisements, letters, correspondence, and membership cards.

The collection consists of approximately 100 pages, dates from 1890-1942. The bulk of the collection consists of articles, letters, pamphlets, notes, and loose pages. Included in the collection are his letters to his wife, Mrs. Louise Crane Ely, which Dr. Ely wrote when he was away on trips. Letters to both of his daughters were enclosed as well. This collection also included various letters from Dr. Alexander Graham Bell.

Various personal items of memorabilia are included in the collection, such as papers from the Maryland School for the Deaf, which obviously held sentimental value. A letter press book is in the collection which belonged to his father, Charles W. Ely. The most interesting item in this collection is Charles. R. Ely’s grade book called Mr. Bowen’s School for Boys report book of which he attended as a little boy.