The French collection consists primarily of drawings and specifications documenting the French’s collaborative and individual work. The majority of the records are those of Helen D. French and is largely architectural in nature. The records are arranged into two series: Professional Papers and Project Records. Though project files form bulk of the collection, some general site planning and structural references can be found in the first series, Professional Papers.

Project records consist of drawings, specifications and photographs and some client correspondence. These include records from the French’s early work with Clarence Martin in Sarasota, Florida, and Northern California residential projects completed during the 1950s and 60s. In addition to residential work, the records also include photographs of the site of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, a PG&E station, and a quadrangle for Harvey Mudd College. Drawings by Prentiss French for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were transferred to the National Archives, Alaska region.