The Walter L. Newberry estate consisted of personal property and real estate in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, and in Wisconsin (Appleton Outagamie County, Green Bay Brown County, Milwaukee Milwaukee County). From 1868 to the final distribution of the properties to the Newberry Library (1892) and Newberry's heirs, the estate trustees, Blatchford and Bradley, were responsible for the daily administration of the property, including the leasing, subdivision, improvement, and sale of the Newberry lands.

Property documents organized, where possible, according to distribution schedule (Record Group 02/09/20) number, include loan and lease agreements; land contracts, purchase agreements, and deeds; examinations of title; building bids and contracts; and Wisconsin property records (correspondence with land agents, inventories, deeds, agreements, and newspapers). Of particular interest are documents regarding the Lincoln Park Commissioners and the extension of Lake Shore Drive, specifications for Near North Side buildings constructed after the 1871 fire, and plat maps showing the subdivision of Chicago (including the stockyard area) and Wisconsin properties.