This collection spans 12 separate accessions, which have been arranged into 10 series. Most of the materials regard Macfarlane's professional activities, her research in uterine cancer, and the recognition she received for her work in cancer prevention. The material span from 1895 to 1971, although the bulk of the material dates from 1935 to 1960.

Series I: Biographical Papers consists of biographical information, most notably a biography of Macfarlane, written in 1970 by Sister M. Juan La Barr. Some records from Macfarlane’s student days at the University of Pennsylvania (1893-1895) and Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (1895-1898), including report cards and tuition slips, are present.

Series II: Correspondence contains correspondence, [1902-(1945-1968)], concerning Macfarlane's professional activities, especially her staff, committee, and professional appointments at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. The bulk of the correspondence deals with the American Medical Women's Association Library and Memorial Building Fund (1945-1968), and contains materials from Mabel E. Gardner, M.D.; George A. Hay; Dehlia A. Lynch, M.D.; Rose V. Menendian, M.D.; Nellie S. Noble, M.D.; and Bertha Van Hoosen, M.D.

Series III: Manuscripts is comprised of acceptance speeches (1930; 1947; 1967); short writings about the New England Hospital and several women physicians, including Mary Rupert and Sarah Wister-Starr. A transcript of Macfarlane’s radio interview on WIBG in 1947 is present, as well as an autobiography and a handwritten account regarding Dr. Mary Pauline Root’s admission to Blockley Hospital. However, the bulk of the series is made up of copies and drafts of Macfarlane’s medical papers [1938-1962; undated], such as: “Management of Pelvic Conditions in Women of Advanced Years,” “The Value of Periodic Pelvic Examination on the Control of Cancer of the Uterus,” “Progress Report on Experiment in Control of Cancer of the Uterus,” and “The Prevention of Cancer of the Uterus.” Series IV: Certificates [1895-1971] holds certificates, awards, and honorary degrees received by Macfarlane. Many of these were presented in recognition of her work in cancer research and prevention. Most notably, the series contains Macfarlane’s diplomas from University of Pennsylvania (1895) and Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (1898), as well as the Gimbel Award (1942); the Strittmatter Award for 1948; Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania Award (1949); the Lasker Award (1951); the Elizabeth Blackwell Citation (1952); and the First Annual Mary Silberman Award (1953).

Series V: Organizations (1951-1965; undated) includes breast self-exam pamphlets from the American Cancer Society, a research report by the American Medical Women’s Association about women medical students, and conference information for the 9th Congress of the Medical Women’s International Association. The bulk of the material [undated] found in this series is related to the working agreement between the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital and the Woman’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and includes correspondence and meeting minutes about the issue.

Series VI: Brochures and programs (1898-1968) represents conferences, award ceremonies, and dedications which Macfarlane attended and/or presented. Pamphlets from the 46th annual commencement of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (1898) and the 75th anniversary of the founding of Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania commencement exercises (1925) are especially of note. The series includes programs from Gimbel Award presentations, notably 1946 and 1960; conference packets from the 10th Congress of the Medical Women’s International Association (1966); and the Elizabeth Blackwell Award presentation (1966). A copy of the by-laws of the Medical Society of Pennsylvania are present, as is a copy of the constitution and by-laws of the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1952).

Series VII: Clippings is a relatively small amount of material, comprised of newspaper and magazine clippings about Catharine Macfarlane from 1950 to 1963. Clippings other physicians (1939 to 1967) contain obituaries, including those for Margaret Sturgis and George Pfahler; and news about the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and women physicians in general.

Series VIII: Reprints provides a list of Macfarlane’s publications, of which reprints are available. Additionally, copies of articles authored by Macfarlane’s colleagues, including Lewis Scheffey and George Pfahler, have been collected here.

Series IX: Books is comprised mainly of scrapbooks related to Macfarlane’s career and other professional activities. However, the series holds the book entitled “A Little Journey to the Home of Ephraim McDowell” (published in 1939) as well. The scrapbooks, with the exception of “This is Your Life,” were all created by Macfarlane. Scrapbook no. 1 (1913-1918) consists mostly of materials from the Woman’s Medical College Endowment Fund Campaign, 1913-1918, and the Emergency Drive, 1918. It also contains newspaper clippings about Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D., and Ah Mae Wong; contemporary national events; and memorabilia. Scrapbook no. 2 (1935-1948) contains brochures, invitations, and announcements relating to honors and awards she received. It also holds newspaper clippings concerning her study on the prevention of uterine cancer, the Institute for Cancer Research at Fox Chase, Pennsylvania, and miscellaneous articles about discrimination against women physicians, and about Drs. Mary Wade Griscom, Louise Pearce, and other personnel at Woman’s Medical College. Scrapbook no. 3 (1936-1969) is comprised of letters and pamphlets concerning a fund-raising campaign for the expansion of Woman’s Medical College in the late 1950s; invitations; newspaper clippings about her cancer research, honors and awards she received, and about discrimination against women physicians; and Macfarlane's obituary (added by a friend or family member). Scrapbook no. 4 (1940-1951), apparently compiled by Macfarlane, contains miscellaneous speeches; invitations, brochures, and newspaper clippings dealing with Eve Curie's visit to the United States for the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of radium; and also the research, prevention, and treatment of cancer; and the history of and discrimination against women in medicine. Scrapbook no. 5 (1941-1948), compiled by Macfarlane, contains correspondence and newspaper clippings concerning a proposed merger of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania with Jefferson Medical College. It also includes clippings and printed materials about Macfarlane's cancer research, and commissioning women in the Army; and obituaries of women physicians. The scrapbook entitled “This is Your Life” contains a copy of the script, and photographs, correspondence, and other memorabilia representing Macfarlane’s 1956 appearance on the television program.

Series X: Audio-visual and realia contains the film reel from Macfarlane’s 1956 appearance on the television program “This is Your Life” and film from her 1956 birthday dinner. There are 3 cases of glass lantern slides, apparently related to the Medical Women’s International Meeting in Scotland in 1937, which Macfarlane attended. Also included in this series are approximately 50 medical instruments owned by Macfarlane, and academic gowns. The photographs in this collection have been removed to the photograph collection.