Series I: A. G. Dutch Roth Photographs and Other Materials, 1916 May 24-1960 March 1 is composed primarily of photographs that Roth took during his hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains both before and after the Park was formed. These images were originally housed in brown manila envelopes and organized with a numerical system of Roth's own design beginning at 1 (January 29, 1928) and ending at 729 (November 4, 1956). In some instances, unnumbered images have been interfiled with the numbered images in chronological order. In the earlier sections of the numerical series, Roth has assigned a number to each unique print; thus, unnumbered prints are simply extra copies of previously cataloged items. In order to facilitate access to these original images, they have been placed near the beginning of each numbered series. Between files 1 and 153, Roth recorded the number of total images in his collection. He also divided his photographs into yearlong sections using empty envelopes with the date written on the overhanging clasp.

Most of the original envelopes bear notations indicating whether the hike they were taken during was a Regular hike or a Special hike and which images should be filed. Unfortunately, it is not clear where this file was located and what precisely it consisted of. In some cases, Margaret Ann Roth made additional notes in pencil on her father's envelopes. Roth generally signed or stamped his name on the bottom right-hand corner of the back of the image itself. The vast majority of these images depict either scenes in the Great Smoky Mountains (including the creation of several new sections of the Appalachian Trail) or Dutch Roth and his friends hiking and relaxing. Among the individuals pictures are such prominent Knoxvillians as Harvey Broome and E. Guy Frizzell.

Series I also houses a variety of materials documenting the Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Club from the 1920s to the 1950s. Among these items are correspondence, SMHC announcements and invitations to such events as fish frys and dances (often featuring humorous poetry), newspaper clippings, publications, and maps. Many of the invitations indicate that interested parties should respond to Mrs. Albert G. Roth. Researchers should note that because it is nearly impossible to distinguish between items kept by Dutch Roth and those kept by Margaret Ann Roth, all paper materials have been assumed to be Dutch Roth's unless they date from after his death or relate directly to an activity that Margaret Ann was deeply involved with.

Series II: Margaret Ann Roth Photographs and Other Materials, 1947 March 11-1955 March 20 houses primarily photographs that Margaret Ann (and occasionally her brother Sonny) took in the Great Smoky Mountains. Like her father, she stored her negatives in brown manila envelopes but organized her collection chronologically. She also tended to take fewer pictures of vistas and mountain scenes and focus instead on her friends and family. Like her father, Margaret Ann's prints are stamped with her name in the reverse bottom right-hand corner. An additional small portion of this series houses other materials documenting Margaret Ann Roth's life.