The collection consists of records related to the coal mine fire in the town of Centralia, Pennsylvania, collected by Joan Girolami, a resident of Centralia from approximately 1965 to 1984. The collection contains correspondence, deeds, reports, news articles, maps, photographs, a test tube, and other Centralia fire related memorabilia and records including the 1983 dissertation of Jane Anne Donohue, a graduate student of social work and social research at Bryn Mawr College.

Correspondence includes records from elected officials, governmental entities, local residents, medical professionals, news outlets, attorneys, consultants, community groups and other associations. Deeds are for a property located on East Park Street in Centralia owned by Joan Girolami from 1967 to 1984. Reports are by federal and state agencies and consultants.

The collection contains records of several organizations focused on issues of interest to residents of Centralia including the Concerned Citizens Action Group Against the Centralia Mine Fire, Centralia Committee for Human Development, Centralia Homeowners Association, Residents to Save the Borough of Centralia and United Centralia Area Mine Fire Task Force.