Harriet Abott Howe was a life-long writer who published poetry and short essays in Los Angeles and San Francisco newspapers and magazines during the 1890s, but after that does not seem to have been entirely successful in publishing her work. She was also active in the Women's Club, the purpose of which was the education, elevation and protection of womankind. The Harriet Howe papers consist predominantly of typescripts of Howe's poetry, essays, and stories.

The Harriet Howe papers consist predominantly of typescripts of Howe's poetry, essays, and stories. It also contains some manuscript material, a scrapbook, copies of "Equal Rights for Women", and some correspondence. The typescript poetry has been organized into groups, perhaps for publication purposes; some of the typescripts are bound in hand made covers.