The Finlay B. Matheson collection includes more than 2,411 photographs; 112 maps, surveys, and architectural plans; and 13 books related to William John Matheson and his immediate family. Estate documents and other documents containing historical and biographical information pertaining to the Matheson family and their various business ventures can also be found within this collection, as well as drawings, postcards, and some of the first aerial view photographs of Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, the Miami River, and the Florida Keys. Florida's landscape during the early 20th century is captured throughout the various albums and scrapbooks and attests to a more leisurely lifestyle before the advent of skyscrapers and multi-lane highways. Furthermore, the collection provides an in-depth glimpse into the burgeoning social life of early inhabitants who gathered at the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club.

This album contains 160 color photographs of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina on the Coral Gables campus in 2005. The pictures were taken by the University of Miami Department of Risk Management on August 25, 2005, and donated to the University Archives in 2008.

This album contains 126 color photographs and 2 CDs that captured the damage caused by Hurricane Wilma on the Coral Gables campus in 2005. The pictures were taken by the University of Miami Department of Risk Management on October 23 and 24, 2005 and donated to the University Archives in 2008.

Binder of 35mm photographic slides and standardized forms recording slide information including location, description of damage, photographer, and date. Locations are in Homestead or Florida City. Some forms have contact prints attached.