Contains materials pertaining to Gordon Childs’ research on, experience with, and study of, the viola d’amore. It includes his personal collection of viola d'amore music, his research on the viola d'amore, and other materials related to well-known contemporary viola d’amore players and composers. Dated 1602-2014 with the bulk being from 1935-1997.

This series contains Gordon Childs' personal arrangements and edits of viola d'amore pieces. The materials are in the form of printed music scores, Gordon Childs’ personal handwritten manuscripts of his arrangements, and photocopied music scores. Many of the scores have added annotations and markings by Childs. Dated circa 1700-1799 with the bulk being between 1935-1999.

This sub-series contains photographs and photocopied pictures of Dr. Childs and others performing on the viola d'amore to be used in a copy of the Viola d'Amore Society Newsletter. Dated 1982-2006.

This series contains materials that Gordon Childs collected and compiled on an opera called “In The Pasha’s Garden” by John Laurence Seymour which has a viola d’amore solo during one of the acts. It includes musical scores and correspondence related to Childs' research. Dated 1934-1986.

This series contains materials Gordon Childs collected and received from several prominent contemporary viola d'amore players and composers. The collection includes a rare piece of music given to him by the well-known composer, Vaclav Nelhybel, to perform. Dated 1782-2014 with the bulk being from 1900-2014.

This series contains photocopied musical scores from Gordon Childs' personal music library. Dated 1602-1987 with the bulk being from 1890-1987.

This series includes photocopied music for and pictures of ancient instruments. Dated 1971.

This series contains Dr. Childs' collection of Viola d'Amore Society newsletters as well as photographs and other visual material to be used in one of the editions. Dated 1977-2014.

This series contains miscellaneous materials from Dr. Childs' collection of papers on the viola d'amore. Includes poetry and other materials related to the viola d'amore. Dated approximately 1661-2006 with the bulk of the materials being from approximately 1913-2006.