Onstage, George Carlin was a rebellious performer who delighted in reminding audiences that as much as we try to keep our lives organized, the universe is ultimately a chaotic place.

Behind the scenes, however, Mr. Carlin was a surprisingly methodical person. Over a career that spanned almost a half-century, this pioneering stand-up saved countless artifacts, including notes, set lists, scrapbooks, tickets and clothing — even the signs he liked to steal from the theaters where he played.

In time, Mr. Carlin’s trove will be shared with a wider audience: His daughter, Kelly Carlin, is donating these materials to the National Comedy Center, an as-yet-unopened attraction in Jamestown, N.Y., that aspires to be a premier destination for fans, artists and historians.

Since her father’s death in 2008, Ms. Carlin has regarded these items as mementos of Mr. Carlin and the fruitfully contradictory nature of an artist with an anarchic spirit and a diligent approach to his work.