The Schnell collection reflects his interests in the Chattahoochee River, local industry, the U. S. Bicentennial and his own family history, which includes the Eelbeck, Johnson, and George families, in addition to the Schnells. These materials include a group of 17 Civil War letters written by John T. Johnson, three of which have been transcribed. He was very active in the Columbus Area Bicentennial Committee from 1973 through 1976. This committee planned and executed a series of bicentennial events and celebrations, including the two things which were meant to be the permanent legacy of the bicentennial. These were the creation of the Columbus Promenade, which became the River Walk, and the establishment of the archives of Columbus College, which was opened to the public in 1975. Besides these activities, the committee sponsored pageants, a re-enactment of a play, No Song, No Supper, that had been performed in 1830 on the banks of the Chattahoochee, the 4th of July parade of 1976, various activities relating to the nascent Historic District in downtown Columbus, the sale of Bicentennial license plates, essay contests, and many other activities which are detailed in the Bicentennial materials in this collection.