The Klamath Indian Tribe were fishermen, hunters and plant gatherers. The tribe lived along the shores of the Klamath River and Upper Klamath Lake in southern Oregon, subsisting on the local plant and animal life. Collection consists of a self-published book on local plants with their Modoc language names, illustrations and locations.

Nelson Reed was a businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist in the Klamath Basin of Oregon and California. He was appointed chairman of the Oregon Klamath River Commission, the legislative study group that developed the Klamath River Compact with the California Klamath River Commission in 1957. Collection contains a folder with donation records, deeds of gift, and thank you letters from Nelson Reed.

The collection consists of documents, photocopies and images from the Klamath River Commission addressing land and water use in the Klamath River watershed of Oregon and California. The Commission was instrumental in the creation of the 1957 Klamath River Compact. Nelson Reed was a founding member of the Klamath River Compact Commission. Nell Kuonen was appointed Federal representative and Chairperson of the Commission in 1983.