The James Denison papers include materials that were accumulated throughout Denison’s life. Denison’s personal papers consist primarily of correspondence, diaries, and newspaper clippings about himself. Also included are articles, stories, and poems written by Denison. Among the articles are several drafts of a piece he wrote about Mackinac Island, Michigan. The bulk of the papers center around Denison’s professional career and in particular his career with the Michigan Office of Civilian Defense, the United States Army, the Office of the Governor of Michigan, and Michigan State University. The materials collected while working for the Michigan Office of Civilian Defense contain correspondence, reports, and publications including the Operational Plan for a Local Control Center.

The papers relating to Denison’s military service consist of correspondence, materials from the Provost Marshal General’s Officer School, Fort Custer, Michigan and Denison’s order books. Materials on the Army Reserves and Denison’s appointment to the Michigan National Coast Guard Reserves are contained in the papers. Numerous publications dealing with World War II, including French and German newspapers, make up part of these papers. A number of United States Army publications are also present. The papers concerning Denison’s career with the governor’s office in Lansing, Michigan contain a reorganization plan for the National Guard and some copies of speeches made by Governors Harry Kelly and Kim Sigler.

The Subcommittee On Migratory Labor contains materials related to Land Grant Universities, hearing witnesses and statements made at hearings. The Michigan State University materials consist of primarily of papers dealing with MSU’s participation in the Rose Bowl football games of 1954, 1956, and 1966. There are also programs of the football games and the Tournament of Roses Parades along with newspaper clippings on the games. Also included are publications dealing with Michigan State University’s centennial in 1955 and other aspects of the university as well. The final section of the collection contains a program from the National Conference of International Economic and Social Development (1952), general publications, and some personal papers of Denison’s daughter, Jane.