Research files, correspondence, photographs, printed material, posters, books, clippings, speeches and literary works document the educational, social and cultural interests, as well as the life and career of Ruthe Winegarten. The collection bulks with research materials for Winegarten’s books and dramatic works, along with production records for museum exhibits and touring exhibitions. Extensive drafts, correspondence and production materials reflect the creation and marketing of the I Am Annie Mae musical theater production. Prominent research subjects include Governor Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, Belle Starr, Cordye Hall, Emma Tenayuca and Katherine Stinson. The collection includes extensive files on female Texas legislators, African-American and Hispanic women in Texas, women from other ethnic groups, and women in various occupational fields. The collection also contains the drafts and research materials for several hundred speeches given by Ruthe Winegarten, as well as personal letters, poetry collections, and business records.

Archivist's note: The Ruthe Winegarten papers have been arranged into three series: Literary Productions, Research Files, and Personal Files. Research files related to a specific project such as a book, have been listed under that project. Files that could not be confidently assigned to a known project appear under Research Files. Many files include material related to multiple projects.

Ruthe Winegarten also donated materials to the Black Texas Women Archive collection and the Texas Jewish Historical Society Records, both held by the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, and the Benson Latin American Collection. These collections include research files and records that complement those in the Ruthe Winegarten Papers.