Audio Recordings, 1934-1978 and undated

This series includes 693 audio discs, seventeen audio cassettes, nineteen reel-to-reel audio tapes, and 0.5 linear_feet of manuscript materials. All of the audio discs and some of the audio tapes were part of Porter's personal collection. The series has been subdivided into four parts: Music, Literary or Historical, Recordings of Katherine Anne Porter or her Works, and Manuscript Materials. Many of the audio discs were inscribed and dated by Porter, her nephew Paul Porter, or friends of Porter.

The recordings of music consist of five hundred and forty-one 33 1/3 and 78 rpm twentieth century audio disc recordings and one reel-to-reel audio tape of classical and popular works dating from the medieval period to the twentieth century. There is a great deal of early music, as well as many recordings of music by George Fredrick Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Henry Purcell, and Christoph Willibald Gluck. There are also numerous recordings of Mexican music, folk music, operas, Christmas music, and motion picture soundtracks.

The recordings of literary and historical materials include one hundred and twenty 33 1/3 and 78 rpm audio discs containing literary recordings by various individuals. The majority of these are readings of poetry by individual poets, although there are a few recordings of prose. There is one recording about the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

The third part, recordings of Katherine Anne Porter or her works, includes twenty-three 33 1/3 and 78 rpm discs of Porter reading from her own works and from the poetry of others. There are also three 78 rpm discs of television and radio interviews with Porter and six discs containing a radio production of her short novel Noon Wine. The nineteen reel-to-reel audio tapes are of Porter speaking at McKeldin Library at the University of Maryland, class lectures, conferences, and round table discussions, as well as interviews on radio talk shows. Most of the seventeen audio cassettes contain Katherine Anne Porter readings, interviews, and lectures.

The fourth part, manuscript materials, consists of originals and photocopies of inscriptions, cards, clippings, and program notes that are on or were inserted into the recording sleeves of albums. These items were separated into this group and arranged alphabetically to correspond with their original location on or with the recordings.

All of the recordings, except those of Porter or her works, are arranged alphabetically by composer, recording artist, or title. Those featuring Porter or her works are arranged chronologically.