This collection reflects the varied interests and wide-spread activities of Nelson. He corresponded with horticulturists and botanists from all over the world, as well as the United States. Because of Nelson's activities and interests, there is a good deal of material from the Society for Louisiana Irises and the Louisiana Society for Horticulture Research (LSHR). Barbara Nelson, his wife, was the long-time secretary of the LSHR, and some of her records in this office are in the collection. The incoming correspondence is mainly from the 1950s and 1960s, while the outgoing covers 1960-1965 most extensively. [See University Archives, B 02 E, Box 1-02 for correspondence, 1944-1948]

There is also a large section of photographs featuring furniture and other objects made from cypress in the collection. At one point, Nelson must have been considering a book on the subject. The collection also contains much correspondence of Mary Hutson Nelson (no relation) of New Orleans, who was one of the early leaders of the movement to promote Louisiana irises. One of her major correspondents was John K. Small of the New York Botanical Garden.

UAAMC contains several closely related collections including the Society of Louisiana Irises Records [Coll. 63], the South Louisiana Camellia Society Records [Coll. 24], the Joseph K. Metzmeiller Papers [Coll. 231], the Frank Chowning Papers [Coll. 236], the Barbara F. Nelson Papers [Coll. 298], and the W.B. MacMillian Papers [Coll. 88]. The College of Agriculture records in the University Archives (B 02) include much Nelson material, especially correspondence during the 1940s.

Barbara Nelson donated this collection.