The Lavinia Scott papers largely consist of correspondence, reports, newspapers, promotional materials, magazines, speeches, sermons, writings, educational records, travel maps and postcards, photographs, and audiovisual materials created between circa 1860s-1998. The collection contains 7 series.

Series 1: Correspondence (circa 1860s, 1900s-1997) includes sent and received correspondence, both personal and professional. Types of correspondence include postcards, letters on stationary, airmail letters, greeting cards, Christmas and general holiday letters, and carbon copies of sent letters. While the majority of the correspondence is between Lavinia Scott and others, this series also includes correspondence received by others that was then passed on to Lavinia either for review or after their passing. The bulk of the correspondence covers the 1920s – 1970s, with a slight gap in coverage during the 1980s, and a shift to more general cards and holiday letters in the 1990s. This series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent last name, group title, or type of correspondence, such as Family letters sent by Lavinia during her years in South Africa.

Series 2: Professional activities (1885, 1917-1997) includes both direct and indirect materials related to Lavinia's professional life as a Christian missionary speaker and educator. It is further divided into two subseries. Subseries 1: South African mission (1885, 1917-1990s) includes all materials related to both Lavinia's direct education work in South Africa (such as reports, magazines, newsletters, promotional materials, yearbooks, speech/sermon drafts), materials related to both American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and United Church Board for World Ministries themselves (reports, meeting minutes, policy guides, conference materials), and any general materials or writing related to South Africa, particularly regarding mission work and the fight against Apartheid. The bulk of the materials cover the 1930s – 1970s, with some more general materials from the 1980s – 1990s. This subseries is arranged alphabetically, primarily by organization name (including Adams College, Inanda Seminary, and Federal Theological Seminary) or material type. Writings were divided by title and arranged alphabetically by author's last name where possible. Subseries 2: United Church of Christ (1919 – 1997) includes all other professional materials related to Lavinia's work with the United Church of Christ, and the earlier Congregational Christian Church, not directly connected to the South African mission. These include materials from local Congregational and United Church of Christ congregations, general conference materials, extensive materials from Lavinia's involvement with the Central American Task Force in Claremont, CA, and general writings and speeches related to Christianity. The bulk of the materials cover the 1920s – 1930s and the 1970s – 1990s. Items are arranged alphabetically, primarily by organization name or material type. Writings were divided by title and arranged alphabetically by author's last name where possible. Newsletters and periodicals published by affiliated professional and/or religious organizations can be found in Series 4.

Series 3: Personal materials (1891, circa 1909-1998) includes materials related to Lavinia's personal life, including family, friends, and personal travels. It is further divided into three subseries. Subseries 1: Records and mementos (1891, circa 1909 – 1998) includes educational records, creative writings by Lavinia and others, souvenirs and other mementos, travel maps and brochures, personal and correspondence notes, and publications by Lavinia's brother Dr. Franklin Scott. Items are arranged alphabetically, primarily by creator, organization, or material type. Writings were divided by title and arranged alphabetically by author's last name where possible. Subseries 2: Souvenir and travel postcards (circa 1930s – 1980s) includes all non-correspondence souvenir postcards grouped together by general location, starting with non-South African international, followed by United States, South Africa, and general Africa. Postcards used for correspondence can be found in Series 1 and personal photographic postcards can be found in Series 5. Subseries 3: Daily diaries (1920 – 1997) consists of Lavinia's 45 individual personal daily diaries, arranged chronologically. Several diaries contain entries for multiple years.

Series 4: Newspapers and periodicals (1920s – 1997) includes news and periodical print publications and newsletters, both full text and selections, including many from South Africa in both English and Afrikaans. It is further divided into two subseries. Sub-series 1: Full text editions (1927 - 1997) includes all full editions of newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. Magazines and newsletters published by schools and colleges, such as Inanda Seminary and Illinois College, are kept in context and can be found in Series 2-3. Subseries 2: Clippings (1920s - 1997) includes article or section clippings from newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. Most articles cover social and political stories related to South Africa, Apartheid policies and resistance, Lavinia's speaking engagements or mission work, and members of the Scott and Stearns family, such as marriage announcements or community profiles.

Series 5: Photographs and negatives (circa 1870s – 1990s) includes photographs and negatives related to Lavinia's work and personal life. The contents cover a wide array of sizes and mediums, including gelatin prints, black and white and color snapshots, and color processed prints. Many, but not all, prints include some level of identifying inscription on the back, including stamps from local photographers. It is further divided into two subseries. Sub-series 1: South African mission (1930s – 1990s) includes photographs that document Lavinia's work as a missionary educator in South Africa. Major areas of coverage include Inanda Seminary, including campus development, Centennial Celebration, staff and student group and individual portraits, and visits by Lavinia and others after the 1970s, as well as Adams College, The Federal Theological Seminary, and visits by American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions representatives and South African political figures such as Chief Lutuli (also spelled Luthuli). Prints have been divided into groupings based on general size or type; further organization by subject has not been completed at this time. Sub-series 2: Personal travel (1920s – 1990s) includes photographs that document Lavinia's personal, non-mission related travel with family and friends mostly within the United States. Prints have been divided into groupings based on general size or type with some attempt at organization by location where possible based on identifying information provided. Sub-series 3: Family (1870s – 1990s) includes photographs of Lavinia's family and friends, including formal portraits. Prints have been divided into groupings based on general size or type with some attempt at organization by subject and/or time period where possible based on identifying information provided. Sub-series 4: Negatives (circa 1930s – 1990s) includes all negatives covering subjects from each of the three sub-series. Negatives have been grouped where possible by size and most do not include identifying information; further organization by subject has not been completed at this time.

Series 6: Audiovisual materials (circa 1930s – 1997) includes all audiovisual materials including photographic slides, both labeled and unlabeled cassette and VHS tapes, three professional .45 records, and one unlabeled Magnetophoband BASF reel to reel tape. Cassette and VHS contents reflect Lavinia's mission work in South Africa, including recordings of sermons and ceremonies at Inanda Seminary, sermons and speeches on various religious and social issues, and oral history interviews with mission workers such as Lou Ann Parsons, as well as 6-7 tapes containing an extensive interview with Lavinia herself. The bulk of these materials cover the 1970s – 1980s. Additionally, the photographic slides depict both South African mission work and Inanda Seminary, as well as personal family events and travels, including numerous souvenir professional slides from international locations. The bulk of these materials cover the 1950s – 1970s. All items in this series have been grouped by medium; some photographic slides include identifying information but, further organization by subject has not been completed at this time.

Series 7: South African artifacts (circa 1970s – 1980s) includes carvings, beadwork, and other artifacts likely purchased by or gifted to Lavinia during a return trip to South Africa that reflect Zulu cultural traditions and crafts.