Harry B. Baker (1868-1941) was an illustrator who taught at the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (which became Parsons School of Design) in the early 20th century. Before moving to New York, Baker traveled the American West. He illustrated bar fights, cowboys, Native Americans, and street scenes. The collection includes photographs of Baker and his students, a letter from Frank Alvah Parsons, and illustrations by Baker.

James Vinton Stowell graduated from the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (later, Parsons The New School for Design) in 1917 with an Advertising Design degree, and was employed by the school as a trade representive through the 1918-1919 academic year. The subject of the pencil sketch, titled "Portrait of 'Our Mr. Baker'," is Harry B. Baker, who taught life drawing at the school from 1915 until his death in 1941.

The Parsons School of Design Centenary Oral History Project consists of recorded sound interviews with twelve individuals as well as two audio monologues by the project's manager, Martica Sawin. The interviews, recorded in 1994, cover the history of different academic departments and design disciplines over the course of the twentieth century as experienced by former and then-current instructors and administrators. Recordings are all in English.

Canadian elementary school teacher Roy F. Fleming (1878-1958) produced the notebook and drawing in this collection while attending the New York School of Art (later, Parsons School of Design) between 1902 and 1907. Fleming's notes include sketches illustrating lectures by Frank Alvah Parsons, William Merritt Chase, and Robert Henri. The collection also includes a photograph of Fleming, his diploma, and a color chart created for art instruction.