The papers are arranged in two parts according to size. Series one through seven are in standard archival boxes; series seven (OS) through nine (OS) contain oversize materials. Each of the two parts, one through seven and seven through nine OS are arranged chronologically. Series one contains Stough's student papers which consist of lab and lecture notes. Series two contains research material and rough drafts ofStough's professional publications, although his research notebooks are not present. Series three contains his course outlines and lecture notes. Each folder in the series represents on course. These are arranged alphabetically by course. Series four contains copies of Stough's publications and Ruth Stough's M.A. thesis from the University of Idaho. There is also correspondence relating to the purchase of a Leitz microscope and attachments. Series five, personal papers, also includes a few items of personal correspondence with Carl Stough, Howard Stough's uncle. Series six contains the negatives from Stough's photograph collection (1811-1946). The original order and folder headings have been retained. Series seven consists of photographic prints too small to be placed in archival boxes. These are mainly unidentified. The prints in series seven do not appear to match the negatives in Series six. Series eight contains large photographs which have been colored with oil paints, probably by Howard Stough, and some cartoon drawings, also by Stough. Series nine is the largest and contains nineteen extremely large scrapbooks which contain memorabilia and photographs (again mostly unidentified).

When the papers were acquired, there were approximately 3,000 photographic slides (1951-1967). These had begun to deteriorate with age; many had suffered severe color shift while in others, no image remained. In some cases, the individual cardboard slide holders had come unglued. Accordingly, the slides were discarded.