The collection was given by Reubin O'Donovan Askew in 2008. It contains materials related to his time serving in the Florida House of Representatives, Florida State Senate, and as Governor of Florida.  Included in the collection are campaign files, correspondence, newspaper articles, photographs, audiovisual materials, memorabilia, and copies of speeches. Additionally, there are records documenting his 1988 Presidential bid, as well as other materials relating to his life after his service as a Florida public official. Also included in the collection are the personal papers of his wife, Donna Lou Harper Askew.