The collection consists of 91 letters arranged chronologically; a chapter from an unpublished manuscript about Tyler's life, written by her sister, Catherine Blanchard Gilman (1810-1881) and her niece, Elizabeth Philpot Randall (1827-1895); and two portraits, a Mathew Brady Studio portrait of Tyler, and one of her relation and namesake Adeline Blanchard Tyler Hawes (1837-1891).

Correspondents include: Francis H. Brown, MD (founder of Children's Hospital) Wolcott Richards (associated with the Midnight Mission in New York City) Fourth Bishop of Maryland, William R. Whittingham (her bishop in Baltimore) Charles Chapman Grafton (chaplain to the deaconesses in Baltimore, later rector of Boston’s Church of the Advent) Adele G. Winthrop (president of Children’s Ladies Aid Association) Robert C. Winthrop (member of Children’s first Board of Managers)

The majority of the letters are addressed from ABT to “My dear Sister” - presumed to be Catherine Blanchard Gilman.