The Arthur R. Metz Papers collection is comprised of the personal papers, photographs, and other materials of Dr. Arthur R. Metz spanning from 1853-2018. The collection consists of correspondence, photographs, medical publications, newspaper and magazine articles, maps, certificates, administrative records, and other materials belonging to Metz. There are five series in the collection: Biographical, Medical, Military, Travel, and Metz Foundation and Metz Suite.

The Biographical Series (1853-1968) is divided into four subseries and consists of family documents, books, correspondence, membership cards, certificates, publications, and photographs belonging to Dr. Metz. The Home and Family subseries includes family financial records, a Metz family Bible, a copy of Memorial Record of Northeastern Indiana, and photos of the family and their farm in South Whitley, Indiana. The School subseries contains papers, photos, certificates, and materials from Metz's time as a student and an alumnus of South Whitley Public Schools, Indiana University, and Rush Medical College. The Personal subseries consists of correspondence including letters and cards, yachting photos and publications, organizational publications, and a box of organizational membership and other cards. The Photographs subseries includes personal and professional photos belonging to Metz including photos of the railroad car, photos of Metz, photos of Metz's friends, travel photos, IU campus photos, and photos of his office.

The Medical Series (1911-1961) is divided into three subseries and documents Dr. Metz's time working in a variety of roles at different hospitals and other institutions and includes medical and organizational publications. The subseries Hospitals includes photographs and materials from Metz's time working at Cincinnati City General Hospital, Monroe Street Hospital, and Washington Boulevard Hospital. The Professional subseries contains photos various medical organizations,materials related to the Railroad Medical Car, correspondence from Metz's time as a professor, articles and photos about Metz's famous patients Riri the Lion and Ernie Banks, and certificates Metz received from medical organizations. The Publications subseries consists of papers written by Metz, articles about medicine, newspaper clippings, and publications from multiple medical organizations.

The Military Series (1918-circa 1945) consists of items from Dr. Metz's time serving in the military, primarily from World War I. The materials include Metz's military identification card, a notebook, photographs of Metz in uniform and photographs from his time serving in France, printed materials relating to medicine, radio, and the war, and certificates for Metz's service. The series also contains documents from Base Hospital 13, the primary hospital where Metz was stationed during World War I, that includes equipment lists, correspondence, and court martial hearing records.

The Travel Series (1925-1961) consists of materials and photographs from Dr. Metz's travels to Europe, Africa, Panama, and various places in the United States. The materials include passports from different years, a hand-made travel magazine made by women who worked at Washington Boulevard Hospital, a French art exhibition program, and documents from the Panama Pacific Line. There also newspaper clippings related to his travels and maps of several different locations. The photographs are from a 1927-1928 safari to Africa, a cruise through the Panama Canal, a trip to the Grand Canyon, and other trips within the United States.

The Metz Foundation and Metz Suite Series (1957-2018) consists of correspondence, photographs, and items documentation. The correspondence includes letters and messages relating to the Metz Foundation and the Metz Suite. The photographs are of the Metz Suite and the items located in the Metz Suite. The documentation includes correspondence relating to pieces of art, inventories, and reports of items located in the Metz Suite.