The Anderson Bakewell collection is comprised of newspaper clippings, photographs, official documents, correspondence from friends and family, and memorial materials, which illuminate the life of an adventurous man. Much of the collection is from a scrapbook kept by his sister, Mrs. Nancy Altvater. There is much information about his travels and exploration in Central and South America, Canada, India, and the Himalayas. Many of the materials in this collection are from after his death.

The collection holds several obituaries from various newpapers; photographs from his life and from his funeral service; correspondence between Mrs. Nancy Altvater and friends; several publications about Bakewell's life and work; materials from his funeral mass; and sympathy cards to Nancy Altvater from loved ones.