This collection contains three of Walpole's diaries. The first (March–April 1882) concerns Walpole's train trip from Illinois to California; a walk of 177 miles from Redding, California, to Jacksonville, California; his search for land in southern Oregon, culminating in the purchase of property near Medford; accounts (1883–1885) relating to supplies, farm wages, board and other expenses for this period; and plans for a house. The second diary (January 1900–December 1901) includes accounts and material relating to botanizing and drawing in Alaska (May–September 1900, July–September 1901); travel back and forth from Alaska and Walpole's activities while living in Portland, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., during the two-year period; time spent with botanists and other friends; an account of salmon fishing in Alaska and of a trip in a "bidarka," or Aleutian dugout canoe; and lists of Aleut and Tlinglit names for locations. The third volume (January 1902–January 1903) relates to activities in Washington, D.C. and Portland, including botanizing and drawing in Oregon, and it includes accounts that are undated but of the same period. The last two volumes reflect Walpole's varied interests: while in Washington and Portland, he spent much time attending lectures on geography, natural history and other subjects, and attending art exhibits. In December 1902, for example, he heard both Lt. Robert E. Peary and Jane Addams speak.