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.

Records include Board of Directors’ minutes, agendas, memoranda, and reports; by-laws and articles of incorporation; committee files; conference programs; correspondence; drafts; newsletters, brochures and directories; and resolutions. Included are records from the Galaxy Conference (1969) and Wingspread Conference (1976); records of the Adult Education Action Council; and materials from UNESCO and the International Council for Adult Education, of which the Coalition is a founding member. Organizations represented include the Adult Education Association, Adult Student Personnel Association, American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, American Society for Training and Development, Association of University Evening Colleges, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, National Association of Public Continuing and Adult Education, National University Extension Association, and United States Association of Evening Students. Correspondents include Leonard P. Aries, Ray J. Ast, Alexander N. Charters, James R. Dorland, Norman D. Kurland, Charles J. Longacre, Constance J. McQueen, David Puddington, Yvonne K. Rappaport, Fran M. Spinelli, Hamilton Stillwell, Clarence H. Thompson, Willard L. Thompson, and Sandra Timmerman.

The Galaxy Conference on Adult Education was held in Washington, D.C. in 1969. Participating organizations included the American Education Association, American Library Association, Commission of Professors of Adult Education, Committee of Adult Education Organizations, Council of National Organizations, National Association for Public School Adult Education, National Council on Adult Jewish Education, and the National University Extension Association. The records of the Galaxy Conference provide comprehensive documentation of the history, planning and execution of the conference.

Willard Thompson was an American professor of journalism and Dean of the General Extension Division and Summer Session (1969-1970), later Dean of the Summer School at the University of Minnesota. Papers include correspondence, meeting minutes and agendas, programs, lists and resolutions. The papers reflect Thompson’s role as Public Relations Committee Chairman for the Galaxy Conference (1969) and the subsequent Wingspread Conference (1976). Noteworthy among the correspondents because of his role in both conferences is Alexander N. Charters.