This collection of personal papers of Walter S. Carpenter, Jr. consists primarily of letters to family, friends, and business associates, as well as financial information records.

The collection is arranged into two series: Carpenter Personal (CP) and Financial information.

In the Carpenter Personal series, the personal papers were arranged by Walter S. Carpenter, Jr.'s office and bear the designation CP before a number. The papers were kept in the order they were received. Some numbers are missing; either the files were not turned over, or those numbers were never used. Certain files have sub-divisions, either numerical or alphabetical. This series contains correspondence involving family, friends, and business endeavors. The correspondence is with Carpenter's business colleagues, letters about his positions on the boards of multiple organizations, and his acceptance of honorary degrees. Letters to family and friends primarily concern personal matters, including trips abroad, special announcements, and education updates.

Furthermore, records of contributions from Carpenter show his continued interest in philanthropic activities, including Good Samaritan, Inc., and his involvement in schools, such as Wyoming Seminary, Cornell University, and the University of Delaware.

The financial information series was arranged by Walter S. Carpenter, Jr.'s office. It contains trust accounts for family members, trust agreements and stock purchases, federal and state income tax returns, and files for business contacts. The collection also documents Carpenter's personal finances, investments, tax returns, and the establishment of trust accounts for his children. Some of Carpenter's family members' financial records also include his wife's estate, Mary Wootten Carpenter.