The collection is arranged in four series based on topic:

Series I: Virginia Tech History, 1872-1946. This series contains materials relating to the history of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). Largely gleaned from various published sources, the series contains typescripts of items Brown had apparently assembled in anticipation of a published history of the school and for ready reference in responding to questions about the school's history. The series is divided among the following subseries:

Subseries A: V.P.I. History, 1925-1944. This subseries contains typescript copies of material assembled by Brown in anticipation of a published history of Virginia Tech. It includes information about the board of visitors (both the body and its individual members), as well as a university chronology, bibliography, legislative history, and data gleaned from newspapers, university bulletins, and other published sources. Arranged in a rough chronological order.

Subseries B: V.P.I. Index, 1938-1946. Within this subseries are several versions of Brown's V.P.I. Index (eventually published as Bulletin of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, vol. 35, no. 12) each containing handwritten updates and corrections. The index provides a history of the school, arranged by subject, and referrals to other sources for more information. Arranged chronologically by date of compilation or revision.

Subseries C: Subject files, 1872-1946. Arranged alphabetically, this subseries contains materials gleaned from various sources by Brown regarding various aspects of Virginia Tech history. The files relate not only to the school's institutional history, but specific topics as well, including buildings, funding, and legislative history. Of particular interest, perhaps, is a file relating to activities and programs on campus during World War II.

Series II: Local History, 1926-1944. This series contains folders relating to various aspects of Blacksburg, Montgomery County, and Southwest Virginia history. As with Brown's Virginia Tech files, these materials consist largely of typescript copies of materials gleaned from various published sources. The folders relate to such disparate subjects as the Blacksburg town spring, Draper's Meadows, and the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower. Of special interest within the series is Brown's compilation of Blacksburg's legislative history and his historical directory of Blacksburg business and professional men, women and firms. Also of significance is a large collection of materials relating to the Wilderness Road. Arranged alphabetically by topic.

Series III: Nature, 1926-1946. Brown's activities as an amateur naturalist are represented in several files relating to his bird observations in Montgomery County. Also included is a description of his 1941 South American bird-watching trip (in the October-November 1941 issue of The Raven) and an essay titled "Antics of the Mockingbirds" by John M. McBryde. Also included is a copy of Brown's Blacksburg (Virginia) Weather, 1893-1944 (published as Bulletin of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, vol. 38, no. 5) and texts from talks he delivered to local groups on nature-related subjects. The series is arranged by subject matter, then chronologically.

Series IV: General Interests, 1930-1947. This series contains materials relating to Brown's other myriad interests. The series includes a file devoted to Matthew Fontaine Maury, including copies of both the first and second editions of Brown's work, Bibliography of Matthew Fontaine Maury (in Bulletin of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, vol. 24, no. 2 and vol. 37, no. 12). Also included are texts of talks Brown presented on various topics, a bibliography of his works, and a compilation of his poetry.