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The Dorothy Nyland papers are comprised of writings, seminars, informational files, photographs, and correspondences, dating from 1935 to 2009. This collection reflects the passion of Nyland in her work for a better spirit among all creeds and races.

The largest part of the collection is correspondences, which can be found throughout most of the folders in the collection. The bulk of the correspondences (1937-1990) are arranged chronologically and can be found in two folders and a bound book of letters. The letters found in the bound book date to 1959 are letters of well wishes for the next step in her life after her departure from the Secretary of Student Work position with the Women’s Division of Christian Service. These letters are from coworkers, friends, and acquaintances she met through the position. The other letters in the two folders date from 1937 to 1990 and contain personal letters, ‘dear friends’ letters, and letters pertaining to general work. Some of these letters are addressed to both Dorothy and her sister, Gertrude. Other correspondences can be found in folders related to an individual, an event, or a trip.

The file folder dealing with her trip to Japan in 1935 include photographs, letters to friends and family, and pamphlets from the ship. There is another file about Japan , which contains personal letters from Yoshi Tokunaga, postcards, and photographs. It also contains clippings, pamphlets, and booklets about international relations and Methodist missions in Japan. The file dealing with her trip to the Conference in Amsterdam in 1939 includes correspondence and writings for the conference, as well as the 1979 Commemoration.

There are also files dedicated to an individual or family. These files include photographs, clippings, pamphlets, and personal letters sent to Nyland from the individual or family members. These individuals are Toyohiko Kagawa, Jameson Jones, Julius S. Scott Jr., Frank and Jean Tubban, Richard Deates, Dr. Benjamin Mays, A.J. Muste, and Theressa Hoover.

Additional files deal with Nyland’s work. A file of seminars she attended, created, and/or organized includes the programs of the “Christian Citizenship Seminar for Students” (first held at the United Nations in 1953) and the “Missionary Education among College Students” seminar. Included in this file are photographs, including two of Eleanor Roosevelt giving a lecture at the “Christian Citizenship Seminar for Students,” letters from parents and participants, and participant surveys. A file that contains her writings includes a copy of the program guide she wrote that accompanied the missionary education movement’s textbook, The Trumpet of the Prophecy by Richard Baker. Other files deal with course outlines, foreign relations, campus co-operatives, Chinese co-operatives, writings about world peace and race relations (especially in the United States). These files all contain clippings, photographs, pamphlets, and some letters.

This collection is comprised of papers, correspondence, journals, photographs, portraits pertaining to various aspects of his pastoral work and with the inclusion of the Drew Newman collection there is added significant correspondence as well as papers having to do with his Episcopal work.

One important item is the journal Newman kept from July 23,1871 to February 27,1872. The early part of the journal describes his personal relationship to President Grant and his family. The later part of the journal continues an account of his ministerial activities. The central part of the Journal, however, is very significant as it provides an excellent account of his journey on the U.S. Congress on its journey to Greenland. The purpose of the venture was to secure permission from the Danish government to use Greenland as a base of supplies for Captain Hall's expedition to the North Pole on the US Polaris. Permission was granted and Newman led the crew in Divine Services prior to their embarkation. The Polaris expedition, although Captain Hall died en route, became the closest a sailing vessel came to the polar cap. The details of the expedition are covered in the "Narrative of the North Polar Expedition". A copy is in the Drew University library.

While in Greenland on the Congress Newman describes ably his adventures in the interior as well as frequent cultural and religious contacts with the Eskimos. He wrote nine letters about his trip which were published in the "Methodist".

Other material in the collection includes personal correspondence between the Newmans 1854-1855. The letters in the Drew collection, which have now been consolidated with the commission's collection, offer for the period 1864-1895 some useful insights especially concerning the role Newman had in the Grant administration. There is a Thanksgiving sermon which states a patriotic theme typical of the period. A Scrapbook includes a lecture and preaching appointments.

Newspaper clippings reporting Grant's illness and death as well as those concerning Newman's death and funeral are a part of the collection.

There is a genealogy for Mrs. Newman's Ensign family and a collection of family photographs for 1880-1890 including several of J. P. Newman, his wife, and other family members. Another part of the collection includes portraits of both Bishop and Mrs. Newman.

Commentaries written by Mrs. Newman describing her journey around the world are a part of the collection and were used by her in presenting slide programs. The slides are not in the collection.

Finally the collection includes materials from Newman's episcopal administration. There are records of votes taken 1893-1894 in Annual Conferences having to do with constitutional questions in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Scandinavia, and also a plan of Episcopal visitation. One of the more historic items is a letter to Bishop Newman involving a petition 1893 asking for separation of the Oklahoma Conference from Indian territory.

The portraits in the collection include a pencil drawn likeness of Mrs. Newman. An oil painting of Mrs. Newman. A charcoal pencil portrait of Bishop Newman.

The record of uncataloqued Bishop Newman publications held in the Drew University collection are: Old Age,a Sermon; Sermons for the Masses on the Character of the Resurrection Body; Self-Denial for the Promotion of Temperance a Duty and a Pleasure; Religious Liberty, A Free Church in a Free Country; Sermons of Rev. J. P. Newman; The Funeral Service of an Aged Lady; Evenings With the Prophets On the Lost Empires of the World, Seven Discourses; Character, a sermon;The White Stone, The Foundation of Christian Character; Mission of Science, an address; Aurora Borealis Amid the Icebergs of Greenland's Mountains; St.John; Prisoner of Patmos; Entire Sanctification.