The Ernest J. Kump Collection spans the years 1928-1992 (bulk 1935-1990), and includes files created by Kump and his numerous firms. The collection is organized into six series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Office Records, Project Records, University of California - Santa Cruz, and Kump Research Projects. The collection documents his career including his education, architectural practice, and patented inventions. His career focused on designing educational buildings, of which many are well documented in this collection.

The Personal Papers series is limited and includes biographical information as well as student notebooks and drawings from Kump’s education at Harvard University. Professional Papers contain correspondence with publishers and architects, extensive writings and presentation materials, records relating to involvement with associations and committees, awards, research, reference files, consulting files, and patents. Kump was a prolific inventor throughout his life, and the patent records document his process towards receiving exclusive rights for his work. The most significant materials in the Office Records series include brochures, photographs, and news clippings that extensively document completed projects.

Project Records containing drawings, photographs, and files comprise the majority of the collection and span the entirety of Kump’s career. Well documented projects include Acalanes Union High School (1939), College of the Virgin Islands (1965), Ohlone College (1968), the Naval Optical and Ordnance Building at Hunters Point (1948), and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul Korea (1959). This series also includes a file documenting Kump’s involvement as a principal for the Kitty Hawk Associates Air Force Academy, of which Frank Lloyd Wright was the chief architect.

The University of California in Santa Cruz series is divided into four sections that document Kump’s involvement with the development of the university: Master Plan Committee, Consulting Architect, Crown College, and Central Services Building. Kump was a member of the Master Plan Committee and later served as the Consulting Architect. He was also the architect for Crown College and the Central Services Building.

The Research Projects series consists of records relating to several major projects that Kump worked on throughout his life. Many of these projects are examinations of how to create prefabricated, low cost designs for educational buildings and homes. This series is organized by specific research projects, which include notes, photographs, patents, and published writings.