The Stockton Symphony Papers consist of: scrapbooks (1930-); programs (1925-); publicity flyers and biographies; reviews; correspondence and memorabilia pertaining to the activities of the Stockton Symphony. The collection also contains programs of the Stockton Symphony Ballet (1928-1988) and some personal papers of Manlio Silva. Additions to the collection are expected as new materials are generated.

The Stockton Symphony Orchestra was founded by Manlio Silva, a Genovese immigrant violinist (1924). Silva served as the group's music director, conductor and business manager until his retirement (1957). Subsequent conductors have included: Horace Brown, Fritz Berens, Ralph Matesky, Kyung-Soo Won (1966-1993)and Peter Jaffee. The Stockton Symphony Association was founded (1959) to assume the fund raising and business management aspects of the Symphony's existence. A women's fund-raising group, the Stockton Symphony League, was also founded at this time for the additional purpose of promoting an interest in classical music in San Joaquin County. The League created this collection in 1980.

Collection is open for research.