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The Conesus Lake Camping commonplace book contains poetry, drawings, and autographs compiled by a group of friends who camped near the New York lake in August 1889.

The Conesus Lake Camping commonplace book contains poetry, drawings, and autographs compiled by a group of friends who camped near the New York lake in August 1889. The loosely bound, 32-page volume opens with an inscription from William Cullen Bryant's poem "The Painted Cup," (p. 1) and also includes a copy of "Of a'the Airts the wind can blaw…," a poem by Robert Burns (p. 3). Of particular interest is a cheerful and humorous narrative poem composed by a woman staying with several female friends under the watchful eye of a chaperone, Aunt Margaret, and a male "protector," Rob. The poem, entitled "Camping Out," describes each of the six members of the camping party and includes a few of their adventures as well as a hint of nostalgia (pp. 19-25; p. 10). The book also contains a series of short cheers associated with prestigious colleges, including Princeton and Yale (p. 12), and, two ink drawings of three male friends: Newton Shepard, William S. Church, and F. B. Foster. One drawing, a tree labeled "Log Cabin" and adorned by an owl (p. 5), appears to be a detail of a larger image of a log cabin labeled "Eagle Point" (p. 32). The book also contains a number of autographs collected from camp visitors from around the country.

John Burroughs, Jr., kept a diary largely between the ages of 13 and 23, from 1840 to 1850, as well as two notebooks containing diary entries, notes, and scrapbook-style content into the mid-1860s. His 1840-1850 diary is filled with details about his hobbies, interests, and other aspects of his life in and around Philadelphia. Burroughs wrote frequently about rabbits, which he kept as pets; education at Yale; and politics (particularly after the 1840 U.S. Presidential election).

John Burroughs, Jr., kept a diary largely between the ages of 13 and 23, from 1840 to 1850, as well as two notebooks containing diary entries, notes, and scrapbook-style content into the mid-1860s. His 1840-1850 diary is filled with details about his hobbies, interests, and other aspects of his life in and around Philadelphia. Burroughs wrote frequently about rabbits, which he kept as pets; education at Yale; and politics.

John Burroughs wrote frequently about the rabbits he kept as pets, holding a great deal of affection for them. Other topics include his education (Yale attendance and discussion about dropping out), politics (particularly the 1840 U.S. Presidential election), and everyday life and social activities.

A few illustrations are peppered throughout the volumes, including a pencil portrait of Mrs. Margaret Burroughs and a log cabin that accompanies entries about the 1840 election. Burroughs appears to have supported Harrison and Tyler, and he wrote about Harrison's funeral. Burroughs pasted in items such as rewards of merit and funeral invitations. He also referenced the Scots Thistle Society.

Two of the three volumes have J. Burroughs' or John Henry Burroughs' nameplates in them; one plate is printed and the other calligraphic. At least one of the volumes was presented to him by his father.