Fonds consists of printed materials, architectural drawings, and photographs that are overwhelmingly concerned with Hibbert’s research activities and related areas of patents and consulting. His general correspondence files (1910-1945) are almost entirely devoted to research communications and the business of the Pulp and Paper Research Institute. There are a few files of correspondence with individuals on special topics, e.g. with Benno Borzykowski on the establishment of chemical industries in Peru (1940-1943), with the Nobel Institute on Hibbert's nomination of Colin Fink for the chemistry prize (1934-1935), as well as letters concerning German refugee scientists (1933). Hibbert's research subject files (1915-1943) contain notes, drafts of articles, printed materials and some correspondence on a large range of organic chemistry topics: wood cellulose, lignin, synthetic fibers, analysis and catalysis, and explosives. Closely related to these are papers on the administration and equipment of the Pulp and Paper Research Institute (1927-1942) and other bodies.

Hibbert's files on patents (1914-1941) contain some documentation on his own patents, but largely concern patents of interest to him in the area of solvents, synthetic fibers and vanilla, pharmaceuticals, and alcohol. His work as a consultant is illustrated by files of notes, reports and correspondence on Komppa's synthetic camphor (1919), the establishment of chemical companies producing synthetic fibers, pulp and paper products, machinery, etc.

Hibbert's teaching activities are documented by two files of lecture notes (1945) and two of correspondence with the Chemistry Department (1934-1943) and the Graduate Faculty (1934-1945) on student-related topics, theses and honorary degrees.

His involvement with the American Chemical Society is revealed by general correspondence, largely concerning meetings and papers, correspondence with the Division of Cellulose Chemistry on research problems, division reports, publications, and relations with industry, and finally by communications with the Society's Journal regarding the refereeing of papers (1920-1944). Personal and biographical materials comprise a scattering of papers about his marriage (1917), academic appointments (1922-1924), library (1926-1941), retirement (1943), hobbies, clubs and interests. There is also a small body of correspondence with his friends, wife and family (1928-1945), as well as communications with his broker about stock investments (continued by Mrs. Hibbert until 1961). Bibliographies and photographs are also included. Obituary material is supplemented by letters of condolence to Mrs. Hibbert, and by a file documenting a dispute concerning Hibbert's biography in the National Cyclopedia of American Biography.

The greater portion of Purves' papers consists of research materials from his undergraduate and post-graduate period. These include lecture notes in natural philosophy and chemistry (1921-1923), laboratory notes on methylated sugars (1923-1924), extraction of glucose by yeast (1929-1931) and carbohydrate analysis (1929-1930) and reports of experiments at the U.S. National Institute of Health. Teaching files contain lecture notes for his courses in organic chemistry (1957-1965) and correspondence with John R. Platt regarding a new textbook of elementary organic chemistry.