The collection contains correspondence, memoranda, drafts, committee meeting reports, speeches, calendars, etc. of Grayson L. Kirk, former Columbia University President. Also included are books from his library. There are also materials deemed by the Office of the President staff as "personal," meaning not directly related to Columbia University. These included the records of the Jacob R. Schiff Charitable Trust and the New York World's Fair 1964-1965.

The Historical Photo Collection contains images of persons, events, and activities associated with Columbia College (1754-1896) and Columbia University (1896-).