The Holmes Collection contains correspondence which records Alester Holmes’ professional activities and his relationship with Clemson College. There is correspondence with the historian Charles Wiltse, especially as it related to Wiltse’s biography of John C. Calhoun and his interest in having the Library of Congress microfilm the Calhoun collection. In addition, there is correspondence with Robert L. Meriwether of the South Caroliniana Library and A.S. Salley of the Historical Commission of South Carolina. These letters give some attention to controversies over the World War Memorial Commission and other Historical Commission activities. There are also letters to Holmes from Sherrill, who agonized over leaving his Clemson position to take a much more lucrative one at the University of South Carolina.

Professor Holmes’ correspondence gives information about the provenance of other manuscript collections held by Clemson University, such as the Thomas Clemson Papers, Floride Clemson’s diary, Anna Maria Calhoun’s journal and the Benjamin Tillman Papers.

There are articles, speeches and research notes prepared by Holmes for publication in newspapers and journals and for inclusion in radio talks. One section of material contains papers gathered by Professor and Lila Holmes and concerning the restoration of Fort Hill. There are photocopies of photographs of the building at various stages of restoration. Some correspondence deals with fundraising efforts, questions about the direction of the restoration project, and the involvement of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The material related to the book Thomas Green Clemson: His Life and Work includes copies of letters, parts of letters and articles located at other manuscript repositories, including correspondence with James Buchanan, Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun and Benjamin R. Tillman. There are copies of editorials, letters to the editor and news items pertaining to Thomas Clemson’s activities, including his appointement to and duties in the United States Foreign Service, his role in promoting the agricultural sciences and his bequest to found what has become Clemson University. The bulk of this part of the collection consists of several drafts of the book. One draft contains a stamped pagination. Of particular interest is an expanded bibliography of Clemson’s publications.