Part I consists of a chronological file of editorial and reader correspondence, drafts of articles, and other records. Includes editor Henry Mills Alden's letterbook (1869-1892) and miscellaneous papers (1922-1943). Other editors represented include Frederick Lewis Allen.

Part II consists of an editors' file (1944-1979) including the records of editors-in-chief John Fischer, Willie Morris, and Robert Shnayerson and their managing and assistant editors; office file containing general correspondence (1961-1971), letters reports (1969-1981), letters-to-the-editor (1981-1983), and business and personnel records; and a production file of drafts, galleys, and other records (1960-1977). Additional business records (1925-1965) and miscellaneous documents (1949-1900) are included in the office file.