Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, newsletters, photographs, reports, speeches, writings and memorabilia of the internationally-recognized American adult educator. Personal material includes family and friends as well as organizations with which Dr. Charters was involved (e.g., Park Central Presbyterian Church). Professional material pertains to Dr. Charters' work with a wide range of issues and organizations in the field of adult and continuing education, including the Adult Education Association (AEA/USA), Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE), Center for the Study of Liberal Education for Adults (CSLEA), Coalition of Adult Education Organizations (CAEO), Commission of Professors of Adult Education (CPAE), International Conference on Adult Education (ICAE), International Congress of University Adult Education (ICUAE), Middle States Association (MSA), National University Extension Association (NUEA) and its successor organizations, and UNESCO. There is also extensive material relating to Dr. Charters' longstanding and central roles in adult education at Syracuse University as professor, department chair, and dean.

The National University Extension Association was founded in 1915. Membership consists of universities and colleges engaged in university extension. The Association’s purpose is to develop and advance ideals, methods, and standards in continuing education and university extension. Its activities include a national annual conference and a number of publications. Records include Board of Directors’ correspondence and meetings, minutes and reports; committee files; correspondence; Project Head Start (U.S.) papers and manuals; Job Corps Driver Education Training papers; papers and photographs of the Office of Education, Adult Basic Education Teacher Trainer Institutes; and subject files for various adult education organizations and divisions. Correspondents whose letters are of greatest depth and duration include those of: Alexander N. Charters, James R.D. Eddy, A.A. Liveright, Ernest Edward McMahon, Julius M. Nolte, Lloyd W. Schram, Paul H. Sheats, and Thurman White. Subject files include those of the Center for the Study of Liberal Education for Adults and the Division of Correspondence.