The Sheet Music collection consists of works from a broad range of musical traditions, dating from the late 1820s to 1996 — including African American music, songs performed at minstrel shows, and some European pieces.

The collection is organized into two series: African American Music and Minstrel Music.

The African American Music series highlights music created, performed, or inspired by Black Americans. This includes rearranged Negro Spirituals (also called plantation and work songs), hymns, folk songs, blues, ragtime, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, protest songs, show tunes, and other popular music forms. The series documents the significant contributions of Black composers, lyricists, performers, and communities to American music, as well as their worldwide influence.

The Minstrel Music series features tunes and ballads from minstrelsy, a form of entertainment that began in the United States in the 19th century and relied on racist, stereotypical depictions of Black Americans, often performed by white performers in blackface.

Materials in this collection are preserved for their historical, cultural, and research value. Some items may contain language, imagery, or representations now considered offensive or harmful, reflecting the social attitudes and historical contexts of their time.