The National Literary Society of the Deaf Collection consists of letters, biographical information, constitution and by-laws, poems, articles, program books, research notes, minutes, Treasurer’s reports and list of members. The NLSD was founded in 1907. Its object was to promote the general literary advancement and mental improvement of its members and promote the members’ cultural and social life.

The collection, which consists of approximately 350 pages, dates from 1907 to 1983. The bulk of the collection consists of biographical information on the founding members and minutes of the meetings and Treasurer’s reports. The bulk dates are mostly between 1972 and 1982. The collection’s strength is centered on the historical information of the NLSD of which Francis Higgins collected and wrote for the 75th-anniversary banquet program in 1982.

The largest subject in the collection is focused on the historical notes on the NLSD. Included in the collection are minute books from 1928 to 1978; however, the first two minutes of books from 1907 to 1928 are missing or lost. Treasurer’s books from 1907 to 1937 and 1952 to 1970 are included except for those years from 1937 to 1952. A poem written by a deaf poet, Hallea H. Stout, is included in the collection.