The National Science Foundation Research Vessel Hero Records consists of operations manuals, ships logs, reports, receipts, contracts, correspondence, deck logs, and engine logs from the Research Vessel Hero's years in service as a field vessel for the National Science Foundation; materials date from 1970 to 1985.

National Science Foundation Research Vessel Hero Photograph and Polar Duke Information Sheet contains an official color photograph of the Research Vessel Hero in Paradise Harbor, Palmer Peninsula, Antarctica published by the National Science Foundation. An accompanying label indicates the photo was taken March 11, 1969. It also includes an information sheet from the National Science Foundation Division of Polar Programs on the Polar Duke, the ship that replaced the _Hero _when it was retired in 1984. The sheet is dated December 31, 1985.

The Mortimer Turner Papers, dated 1945-2004, contains correspondence, maps, an oral history, publications, proposals, reports, photographs, negatives, budgets, oral histories, rosters, forms, lantern slides and a hooded parka that come from his tenure at both the Division of Polar Programs and the Office of Polar Programs at the National Science Foundation. The collection also contains a few personal files and files related to other positions that Turner held during his career.

"Memories of an Old Ship: The Bear" Manuscript by Russell S. Robinson is a narrative documenting Robinson's experiences crewing the icebreaking ship Bear of Oakland, one of two vessels bound for Antarctica to conduct the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition (BAE II). In addition to an account of the near-catastrophe that occurred soon after the initiation of the ship's voyage on October 4, 1933, the manuscript includes two hand-drawn diagrams of the Bear of Oakland's architecture and mechanical systems. The manuscript is dated circa 1991.

The Mary Louise Burandt Scrapbooks on Richard E. Byrd and the United States Antarctic Service Expedition contain three scrapbooks Burandt created about Richard E. Byrd, dated 1933-1937, and a fourth scrapbook about the United States Antarctic Service Expedition, dated 1938-1941. The scrapbooks about Byrd contain clippings from magazines and newspapers about Byrd in general as well as his first two expeditions, postal covers from Antarctica, fliers advertising Byrd's public appearances, and a note written from Byrd indicating he had viewed the scrapbook. They also contain handwritten captions and typed essays about Byrd written by Burandt, and letters sent to Burandt from Byrd and his secretary. The United States Antarctic Service Expedition scrapbook is composed mainly of clippings about the expedition, and contains a music score for "Byrd (You're the 'Byrd' of Them All)" by Howard Johnson.

Mary Boland Collection of Clippings on Admiral Richard E. Byrd includes clippings files collected by Byrd family friend Mary Boland on Admiral Richard E. Byrd's expeditions, and photocopies of documents from other repositories concerning Richard E. Byrd. Also included are photocopies of writings by Byrd and Thomas Poulter about several of Byrd's expeditions in the polar regions of the globe, as well as materials related to the dedication of several memorials to Byrd. Materials in this collection date from the 1920s-1997.

The Martin Sponholz Papers, dated 1965-1968, are photographic slides of pictures Martin Sponholz took while he was a member of Operation Deepfreeze-66 Expedition and the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. Sponholz numbered and wrote captions beneath the slides. Those numbers and captions are used in the inventory list as titles. The slides marked DF relate to the United States Antarctic Research Program’s Deepfreeze-66 Expedition at Plateau Station, dating 1965-1966. The photographs Sponholz took on this expedition feature the building of the Plateau Station and its facilities, tools and instruments used to measure wind and temperature, and Antarctica’s landscape. The slides marked J relate to the photographs Sponholz took on Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, dating 1967-1968. The photographs Sponholz took on this expedition feature meteorology equipment, Antarctica’s landscape and animals, and Syowa Base.

The Map of the Region Between New Zealand and the Antarctic is a color map, measuring 12.75 x 20 inches, captioned, "Showing the routes of the "City of New York" and, so far as available, the soundings made on these voyages." The map indicates that the soundings were made with a sonic depth finder as communicated to the American Geographical Society by Rear Admiral Byrd, and that the map as a whole was made to demonstrate the lack of available soundings between New Zealand and Little America. The map is copyrighted 1930, by the American Geographical Society of New York.

The Lisle A. Rose Papers, dated 1947-2014, contains photographs, diaries, oral history interviews and transcripts, periodicals, slides, a yearbook, reports and correspondence primarily regarding Rose's participation in Operation Deep Freeze II and his role as Polar Affairs officer for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs (OES). Correspondence includes a letter from Rose's brother Dave dated January 1947, to Rose's parents, while Dave was on Operation Highjump. The collection also includes Deep Freeze II stamps and envelopes as well as photocopies of other polar explorers' papers.

The Katharine Byrd and Robert G. Breyer Family Papers on Richard E. Byrd contain correspondence, plaques, a scrapbook, clippings, photographs, programs, digital media and other documents related to Katharine Byrd Breyer and her husband Robert G. Breyer's participation in programs honoring Katharine's father, Admiral Richard E. Byrd. The materials mainly relate to posthumous building, ship, and monument dedications, and other ceremonies honoring Richard E. Byrd from locations around the world, including a significant dedication in Wellington, New Zealand, on the fifth anniversary of Byrd's death in 1962. The collection also has a few items dated before Richard E. Byrd's death, including some correspondence sent from Byrd to Katharine and Robert, and one 2007 clipping on Richard E. Byrd collected by Robert G. and Katharine's son, Robert Byrd Breyer. The materials are dated 1938-circa 2000s.

The John Weihaupt Papers, which date from 1959-2012, with most of the collection taking place between 1959 and 1963, contains field notes and notebooks, aerial photographs and compact discs. These materials come from his 1959-1960 Victoria Land Traverse expedition in Antarctica and his 1961 South Pole Traverse expedition. The collection also includes an oral history interview with Brian Shoemaker audiocassette, transcripts and notes.

The John Splettstoesser Papers, dated 1973-2002, 2015, consist of VHS videocassettes, a DVD, and a postcard. The videocassettes and DVD contain documentaries about the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-1917), Byrd Antarctic Expedition II (1933-1935), and the exploration of the South Pole. Also included in this collection is a postcard from Richard Goldthwait, one of the founders of the Institute of Polar Studies at The Ohio State University. Goldthwait wrote to Splettstoesser about his work in Antarctica.

The John Campbell Craddock Papers, dated circa 1959-1985, contains research proposals, data, correspondence, field notes and reports, photographs, negatives, lists, summaries, forms, and information about SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) related to Craddock's work as a polar geologist. The collection contains numerous files regarding Craddock's interactions with the National Science Foundation, especially in regard to grants and funding and with the SCAR WGG (Working Group on Geology).

The John Behrendt Oral History, dated 2000-2001, contains recordings, administrative information and transcripts of an interview between Behrendt and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society. This interview took place on March 14, 2000, and covered Behrendt's career as a geophysicist and his twelve trips to Antarctica from 1957-1995. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by American Polar Society and The Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics include Behrendt reflecting on his twelve trips to Antarctica, his scientific achievements, particularly in geomagnetic fields, and his personal and professional relations with polar explorer Finn Ronne. Other major topics of the interview included Behrendt's views and experiences on the necessary tools and equipment needed during expeditions, such as planes, Sno-Cats, and scientific devices, the natural challenges to Antarctica exploration and daily life, and the international treaties and protocols involving Antarctica.

The Joe Hill Papers date from 1927 to 1999, with most of the collection dated between 1933 and 1936, and document Hill's time in Antarctica as a member of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II, as well as materials gathered following this time related to Antarctica. The papers include a scrapbook documenting Hill's work to join the expedition as well as newspaper clippings about the expedition itself. Approximately 140 glass slides with black and white images of Hill's time in Antarctica are also included, as well as correspondence received by his parents while he was in Antarctica both from and about Hill. Correspondence received by Hill from other members of the expedition is also included in the collection, as well as reunion planning information, clippings about Antarctica, and scienctific reports from Antarctica.

The Jehu L. "Dusty" Blades III Oral History, dated 2000-2001, contains audio recordings, administrative information and a transcript of the the interview between Blades and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society that took place on March 12, 2000, regarding Blades' experiences as a helicopter pilot and commanding officer in the Arctic and Antarctica. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics found in the oral history include the opportunities in Blades' life that allowed him to pursue flight in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, the shipment of helicopters to the polar regions in 1952, the development of helicopter rescue techniques, and his experiences during Operation Deep Freeze I. The collection also contains Blades' recollections of travel from Norfolk, Virginia to McMurdo Station, Antarctica; his time as commanding officer during Operation Deep Freeze 65; the 1964-1965 construction of the Palmer Station; and the relations between international Antarctic scientists and military personnel.

The Jean A. Simoneau Papers, which dates from 1941-1947, contains photographs, postal covers, newspaper clippings, periodicals, a diary log, a certificate and a portrait that relate to his experience during Operation Highjump, 1946-1947.

The Jacob Bursey Diary Kept While Serving as a Member of Byrd Antarctic Expedition I, dated 1929, contains daily entries from Bursey and a memoranda note where he evaluates his time in Antarctica. Each entry begins with a weather report. Some entries are brief and only contain information about the weather conditions and the temperature. Other entries provide more details about Bursey's preparation and work to mark safe trails for the expedition party, his experience camping out on the trail, and his interactions with the dogs on his sled team.

The Jack Moon Papers date from 1947 January 12 to February 26, and consist of items gathered by Moon during his naval service onboard the United States Ship Pine Island during Operation Highjump (1946-1947). Items include Official United States Navy Dispatches from Pine Island, and several issues of "The Pine Knot," the Pine Island's shipboard newsletter. Items document the time period immediately following the Pine Island's rescue of the crew of downed airplane George 1 on January 12, 1947.

The Jack B. Long Oral History, dated 2002-2009, contains audio recordings and transcripts of the interview between Long and Brian Shoemaker conducted on September 19, 2002. There are also notes that were created before, during, and after the interview and are dated 2002-2009. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics discussed include Long’s relationship with his older brother (William E. “Bill” Long), Tucker Sno-Cats, living and working conditions in Antarctica, Dr. Charles Bentley, the Sentinel Mountains Traverse (1957-1958), the Horlick Mountains Traverse (1958-1959), and the McMurdo-South Pole Traverse (1960-1961).

The Ian M. Whillans Papers, dated 1955-2001, contains datasheets, maps, reports, articles, aerial photographs, negatives, notes, equipment lists, calculations and field books regarding Whillans' glaciological research in Antarctica and Arctic regions.

The Hollis and Wayne H. Richardson Family Papers, dated circa 1932-1954, and 2000-2002, contains a scrapbook that document Hollis Richardson’s work and accomplishments as a sled dog racer and, later, as a sled dog trainer during the United States Antarctic Service Expedition from 1939-1940. From circa 1932-1954, Hollis Richardson assembled the scrapbook with photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence addressed to his mother during the expedition and World War II, a certificate, and an address list. Some of the clippings in the scrapbook are photocopies of the original. The first half of the scrapbook focuses on Richardson and his wife Velma's dog kennel at Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania, and Richardson's sled dog racing career in Northeastern United States during the 1930s. The second half focuses on Richardson's participation in the United States Antarctic Service Expedition. The scrapbook additionally includes some clippings of Velma's illness during the expedition, Richardson's brother's linen business, and a family portrait of three generations of the Richardson family. The collection also contains supplemental materials gathered by Hollis' son, Wayne H. Richardson, that relate to his father, and the topics of the original scrapbook, such as dog sledding. These supplemental materials include Wayne's notes and page descriptions of the scrapbook, newspaper articles, and photocopies of United States Antarctic Expedition photographs from the National Archives.

The Herwil M. Bryant Papers, dated circa 1930s-circa 2000s, contain materials that Herwil M. Bryant created or collected while serving on the United States Antarctic Service Expedition from 1939-1941. This includes his journals, both the handwritten originals and photocopies and typed transcriptions of the originals. Also included are photographs, negatives, and photographic slides that he created during the expedition as well as correspondence, notes, press clippings, objects, and ephemera. In addition, the papers contain notes and other materials related to lectures Bryant gave about Antarctica and his experiences during the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition, including lectures he gave aboard Antarctic cruises. Photographs he took during Antarctic cruises are also included. There are two USB flash drives that contain digital files of Bryant’s U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition journals and photographs as well as narrations he recorded after the expedition. Also included is an unidentified reel of 16mm film.

The Harrison H. Richardson Papers, which dates from 1939-1949 and 2003, with the majority of the collection dating from 1939-1949, contains 16mm film documenting the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition (1939-1941) and Operation Highjump (1946-1947), and other materials such as three log books, memos, photographs, negative strips, and publications. In 2003, the Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program (BPRCAP) received a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation to preserve two films documenting the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition in this collection. The film is believed to be some of the first color footage shot in Antarctica. The grant-produced material in this collection includes use copies in the form of VHS, Betacam and DVDs, and preservation film copies.

The George M. Troutman Papers, dated circa 1928-1935, contain materials created or collected by George M. Troutman that mostly relate to the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition and document Troutman's connection with some of the expedition's members. In particular, the papers document his relationship with Sidney Greason. Materials include correspondence, photographs, and newspaper clippings. Also included are covers, which are self-addressed, stamped envelopes that have been sent through the mail, that Troutman collected during the second Byrd Antarctic Expedition.

The George F. Kosco Papers, which dates from 1945-before 1993, contains photograph albums, a VHS videocassette and a 16mm film regarding Operation Highjump. The videocassette contains footage of the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II, a trip to the Arctic and Operation Highjump.

The George A. Lewis Caption List and DVD for Film and Slides of Tunnel Building at the New Byrd Station in Antarctica from 1960-1961 contains a DVD of digitized 8mm film footage and 35mm slides that show the building of tunnels at the New Byrd Station in Antarctica. The film and slides were taken from November 1960 to March 1961, during Operation Deep Freeze 61. The collection also contains a printed list of captions for the slides listed in the order they are shown on the DVD. Collection materials are dated circa 2008.

Francis Dana Coman and John "Jack" Coman Family Papers, dated 1885-circa 1953, contain materials that were created, received, and/or collected by members of the Coman family, including Francis Dana Coman and John “Jack” Frederick Coman. Several items relate to Francis Dana Coman's military service and career in the polar regions. Included are photographs, correspondence, press clippings, awards, booklets, compasses, a Bible, and a pin.

Eugene Rodgers Papers for Beyond the Barrier: The Story of Byrd's First Expedition to Antarctica contains research materials used in the writing of the 1990 book, including clippings and photocopies of photographs, articles, and books about Byrd's first Antarctic expedition (BAE I) and members who accompanied him, aircraft and ships used on the expedition, and BAE I newsletters. Audio recordings of lectures and symposiums about Byrd, as well as interviews conducted by Rodgers are located in this collection. Also included is correspondence with institutions about their archival holdings related to Byrd, with other researchers interested in Byrd and Antarctic exploration, and with expedition members and their descendants, including responses to interview questions. Materials related to the process of publishing Rodgers' book with the Naval Institute Press are included in this collection, such as correspondence regarding edits to Rodgers' manuscript, edited and corrected drafts, an author guide, correspondence regarding the fair use of copyrighted material, publicity clippings and press releases, and reviews of the published book. Correspondence about talks and lectures Rodgers gave about Byrd after the publication of his book, biographical sketches about Byrd he wrote for other publications, and the use of content from his book for documentary films about Byrd and BAE I are also included. Materials in this collection are dated 1967-2005, and 2013, with the bulk of materials dated between 1987 and 1991.

The Eugene L. Boudette Oral History, dated 2002-2009, contains audio recordings, notes, and transcripts of the interview between Boudette and Brian Shoemaker conducted on October 27, 2002. The notes are dated before, during, and after the interview, and the interview transcript was completed in 2009. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics discussed include ice drilling in the Arctic in Greenland, the Marie Byrd Land Traverse (1959-1960), discovering granite in the Clark Mountains in Antarctica, planning the Victoria Land Traverse (1960-1961), and his diabetes diagnosis.