The David L. Friday papers consist primarily of lecture correspondence. There are also a set of financial records (mostly undated) that might pertain to Friday's tenure at the University of Michigan, some telegrams and newsclippings, legislative material, and Friday's working papers.

The Edwin Willits papers consist of correspondence, financial records, Willits' inaugural address at Michigan Agricultural College, and various education-related materials, primarily concerning natural science.

The Lewis Griffin Gorton papers consist of correspondence during Gorton's years as president of Michigan Agricultural College. Also included is Gorton's inaugural address.

The Lewis Ransom Fiske papers include presidential reports to the State Board of Agriculture, two published speeches, an address, correspondence, financial papers, a student petition, and biographical information on Fiske. One item of interest is the two articles in the Michigan Farmer Newspaper (Fl. 10) which describe in detail the expense, effort,and process of clearing land for the original campus area.

The collection consists of correspondence, poetry, speeches, and diaries. There are also Abbot's testimonial records from the State Board of Agriculture.