Papers consist of newspaper clippings, photographs, sheet music, and pamphlets. Much of the material relates to the history of the Virginia and Pike-Sandy regions in northeastern Minnesota, including the Pike Evangelical Lutheran Church. Included are also three artefacts (aluminium potato pancake pan, wooden spoon, and white cloth purse)

Karvonen composed numerous works for organ, piano, choir, band, orchestra, chamber groups, solo voice, and solo instruments, the sheet music for which comprises the collection. Included are also materials containing biographical information, correspondence, research notes, and concert programs.