This collection contains papers of Leslie Wallace Jerrell, an 1895 graduate of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) and an instructor of mechanical technology at the school. The collection contains correspondence, grade reports, invoices from the Blacksburg businesses and the university, Jerrell's grade book, photographs, and textbooks.

The correspondence in the collection consists almost entirely of letters written by Jerrell in Blacksburg, Virginia to his parents in Brokenburg (Spotsylvania County), Virginia. Jerrell comments at length on student life and social activities, and later on his work as an instructor. Within Jerrell's correspondence is only a single piece of correspondence not addressed to family: a letter of application to the United States Revenue Cutter Service. Also among the correspondence are several letters from friends received by Jerrell at home during his final illness and by his parents following Jerrell's death.

Among the other materials in the collection are texts of several speeches delivered by Jerrell, including one titled "The Present South," and a number of invoices and receipts issued to Jerrell by the university and local Blacksburg businesses. The collection also contains the texts of Also included is the grade book maintained by Jerrell as an instructor in mechanical technology, together with a class roster, and a few exams written by some of his students. The collection also contains studio portraits of Jerrell and several books from his collection. Most of these books seem to have been used as textbooks, but also included is a book of specifications for a U.S. Revenue Cutter Service boat, apparently studied by Jerrell in the course of his interest in joining the service.