The collection includes papers written by Born during the course of his attendance at William & Mary, mainly for English classes. There is also correspondence from 1985 and loose pages from a photo album believed to have been assembled by Born, while a student at William & Mary. The contents are primarily photographs of campus and Williamsburg area from the 1926-1927. Additional photographs relate to life in rural, early twentieth century Virginia, the Newport News Shipyard, Carter's Grove Plantation, and the myths of Blackbeard. Also includes some photographs of locations outside of Williamsburg such as Mount Vernon and New York City.

Also added is the typescript for his article published in The Alumni Gazette in May, 1968 titled "The College Then: 'To see what 40 years had wrought' [An alumnus reminisces on the late 20s]." Also contains personal letters received from European and American institutions and others regarding his travels and research interests in Europe and in the architecture and history of William & Mary, and his particular interest in an Irish well cover of St. Patrick's. There is also a 1985 letter from Exxon Company, U.S.A., denying Mr. Born's proposal to mine iron ore and coal in Columbia.