This collection contains a wide variety of material related to the work and life of newspaper cartoonists Frank McKinney (Kin) Hubbard and Gaar Williams. Gaar Williams worked as a cartoonist for the Indianapolis News while Kin Hubbard served as cartoonist for the Indianapolis Star. Over the course of their careers, predominantly during the years 1905 to 1935, they created cartoons documenting Hoosier life as well as issues in the broader United States. The collection contains almost all Gaar Williams newspaper cartoons throughout the years, mostly from his time at The Chicago Tribune, which he began working for in 1921. A catalog of the Gaar Williams items was published in 1981 and is available on-site. The collection also has copies and clippings of Kin Hubbard’s “Abe Martin” character who was very popular at the time.

This collection also contains various papers related to the cartoonists, such as photographs, memorabilia, illustrated programs, and magazines. In addition, it includes letters from people interested in their work as well as materials documenting the behind-the-scenes arrangements to exhibit their work at various universities around the state including Butler University, Vincennes University, and Notre Dame.