The collection consists of manuscripts, correspondence, printed ephemera, artwork, three-dimensional artifacts and photographs related to the joint career and lives of Irene and Vernon Castle (1911–1917) and to Irene’s life and career after Vernon’s death in February of 1918, including some of her animal welfare activism. Approximately 1,500 photographs and 1,000 manuscript pages comprise the bulk of the collection. Personal photographs include Irene during her childhood, family and home life, Irene with her pets, and travels around the world. Professional photographs were created by a variety of photographers and studios including Ira Hill, Frank Geisler, Campbell Studio, Charlotte Fairchild, Ray Huff, the Crosbys, Baron de Meyer, and Underwood Studios. These images include fashion poses, dance poses, and photos taken on film sets. Photographs also include dance poses of Vernon Castle, images of him during WWI as a pilot and his funeral procession, images of Irene with dance partner Billy Reardon and husbands Robert E. Treman, Frederic McLaughlin and George Enzinger. Manuscript material includes clippings from magazines and newspapers, music score sheets, artwork, letters and telegrams from Vernon to Irene and other family correspondence and condolence letters on the occasion of Vernon's death. The collection also includes 3D material relating to the Castles’ career, including a silver trophy given to them by Jim Europe’s orchestra (James Reese Europe) and a piece of aluminum rudder from Vernon's plane and medals he acquired during WWI.