This collection consists of clippings, correspondence, photographs, and a cassette tape created by Carroll and Becky Gilbert, who were business owners in Greeley and friends of James A. Michener dating back to the early 1930s, when Michener was teaching at Colorado State College of Education at Greeley (now the University of Northern Colorado). Karen Clugston is the daughter of Carroll and Becky Gilbert.

Correspondence is primarily between the Gilberts and the Micheners, and ranges in date from 1944 to 1991. The photographs depict the Gilberts’ joint trip to Mexico with James Michener and his then wife Patti Michener in 1938. Clippings range in date between 1957 and 1999 and include local Colorado newspaper and magazine clippings, as well as University of Northern Colorado publications pertaining to Michener. The cassette tape is dated 1975-1976 and contains a brief recording of an interview with James Michener, as well as a recorded phone call. The collection also contains documents and clippings related to Mari Michener's visit to UNC in 1992.