The collection consists of the papers of Adam Knight Spence and John Wesley Work from ca. 1851-1936. The papers contain materials relating to their interest in Negro folk music and involvement in the Fisk Jubilee Singers in the early 20th century. The collection includes musical scores and arrangements, correspondence regarding the singers' travels, printed materials, as well as correspondence (1906-1921) and classroom papers (1931) of John Work. The collection contains the correspondence of Adam Knight Spence and family members, including his brother Edwin A. Spence, his sister Julie Spence, his wife Elizabeth Fisk Spence, and his daughter Mary Spence. Of particular interest is extensive correspondence (1888-1891) from Henrietta Matson, principal of the Akola Girls' English School in Berar, India, to Elizabeth and Mary Spence regarding the education and social conditions in India at the time. Other materials include a variety of printed matter (1871-1936) relating to Fisk University.