Correspondence Sent by Byrd Antarctic Expedition II Member Clarence Arthur "Art" Abele, Jr. to Fred Edwin Mathias contains a handwritten holiday card from January 1934 and a two-page handwritten letter from January 1935, accompanied by the original envelopes they were mailed in. The holiday card depicts a black and white line drawing of penguins and says "Greetings from Little America." Abele wrote a brief greeting to Mathias while at sea, the day before he arrived in Little America on the second Byrd Antarctic Expedition (BAE II), commenting on Mathias' new career as a traveling salesman, and noting when he is expected to arrive in Little America. The 1935 letter from Abele thanks Mathias for sending him a Christmas greeting from Portugal, reflects on their time at Harvard speculating what their future lives would be like, and discusses what it was like to live in Antarctica for a year, noting that they are in the process of packing up and returning home to the United States.

"Photographs of Antarctica, Presented to G. M. Schwartz for the Department of Geology, University of Minnesota, Through the Courtesy of Professor Lawrence [Laurence] Gould, Second In Command of the Expedition" includes black and white photographic prints glued to album pages. The images depict ice and geological features of the Ross Ice Shelf, Liv Glacier, and the Bay of Whales in Antarctica, and were taken by Laurence M. Gould during the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition (1928-1930). Most of the images were taken from a plane, and include captions that identify the location the photograph was taken, as well as images that were used by Gould in publications about the expedition, particularly in "The Ross Shelf Ice" article published in the Bulletin of the Geological Society of America in 1935. The album was compiled circa 1935-1961.

The pages were originally held in a three-ring photograph album in numerical order, as indicated by the creator's handwritten numbers in the corners; the pages were removed from the album and placed in a folder for preservation purposes. There are no pages 8-9, and the last three pages of the album are not numbered; the final page of the album has an "x" written in place of a number.

The David Paige Papers, dated 1933-1934, 1938, and circa 2005, contain photocopies of telegrams and other correspondence from 1933-1989, mainly between Admiral Richard E. Byrd and Paige. The majority of the correspondence concerns the access, ownership, and use of motion picture film of Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition (BAE II), shot by and housed at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. Paige assembled a film from the footage of “only shots pertaining to art and artistic subjects” to accompany the lecture tour he was scheduling. The letters exchanged between Paige and Byrd evidence discrepancies between the two men’s understanding and approval of how Paige intended to, and ultimately did, use the footage, and Paige's interpretation of the contract between Byrd and Paramount Pictures. The correspondence includes a letter and accompanying contract sent from Emanuel Cohen, Vice President of Paramount Pictures, to Richard E. Byrd. In later years, the correspondence turns to the topic of Paige's artwork, which was in the possession of Byrd and Byrd's family. It contains a letter sent from Paige to Richard E. Byrd's son, requesting that Paige's artwork be returned to him and not included in the Byrd estate, and correspondence between the law firms representing Paige's and Byrd's estates, respectively, following their deaths, regarding custody of Paige's artwork. The collection also contains an original letter and piece of artwork, dated 1938, sent by Paige to junior high school student Sonia Grekel to reward her with the first place prize of an original pencil drawing of penguins. Also included are letters that Paige sent to Mr. W. Jewel, art critic at The New York Times, during BAE II.

The Stephen Barnes Oral History, dated 1958-1965, and 2000-2001, contains audiocassette recordings, administrative information, and transcripts of an interview between Barnes and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society conducted on March 13, 2000. This interview was part of a series of oral histories sponsored by the American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics of the interview include Barnes' recollections of Operation Deep Freeze II, the Sky High Station in Antarctica, and his ionospheric research in Antarctica, Maui, and elsewhere. Barnes also reflects on the contributions of various scientists in Antarctica, the challenges and dangers of living in Antarctica for an extended time, and his personal life since his retirement in 1994.

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 Charles R. Bentley Papers, dated 1948-2011, contains data sheets, data books, seismograms, aerial photographs, punched cards, microfilm, and magnetic data tapes compiled during his career as a polar scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, the collection contains course documentation, correspondence, maps, publications, minutes, programs, equipment and member lists, forms, proposals and reports gathered from Bentley's interactions with professional organizations, his expeditions, and the courses he taught at University of Wisconsin-Madison. The collection includes national and international meetings files that come from numerous polar and related organizations.

The Arnold Court Trunk Used During United States Antarctic Service Expedition, dated circa 1939, contains a wooden storage trunk that belonged to Arnold Court when he was a meteorologist for the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition from 1939-1941. The trunk has the words U.S. Antarctic Service and West Base stenciled its sides.

The Edward Frankiewicz Oral History, dated 2000-2001, contains audiocassettes, administrative information and the transcript of the interview between Frankiewicz and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society that took place on February 23, 2000 regarding Frankiewicz's experiences as a Naval pilot and officer in 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 Frankiewicz's childhood in Vermont, the flight experiences that led to his role as a transport pilot for the United States Navy in 1942 as part of Naval Transport Squadron V-1, his experiences during Operation Deep Freeze I, and his account of the first polar landing by Gus Shinn. The oral history also includes Frankiewicz's discussions on the establishment of Beardmore Camp at Liv Glacier, the living conditions at Little America and McMurdo Stations, the establishment and maintenance of tractor supply trains from Little America to Byrd Station, and the rescue of Jack Torbert and Charlie Otti in Venezuela. Frankiewicz then provided his insight on Operation Deepfreeze III, and the difficulties of flying into and clearing Little America and Cape Hallet.

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 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 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.

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 Raymond Fosdick Papers, dated 1926-1955 and 1979-1983, contain correspondence and American flags sent to Raymond Fosdick by Richard E. Byrd. Byrd had a practice of taking flags on his flights and expeditions then gifting them to friends and benefactors upon his return. Some of the correspondence accompanied the flags and some of the correspondence relates to other topics, such as the Fosdick Mountains. Materials created after Fosdick's death were received or collected by his family and also relate to Byrd and his relationship with Fosdick.

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.

The Walter Giles Correspondence to Ruth Giles While Serving on the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition contains two letters sent by Giles from Antarctica to his sister, Ruth Giles, dated 1939 and 1940. Giles writes about missing his hometown in Georgia, the weather, activities on base, and plans to visit Georgia once he returns to the United States. One of the envelopes sent to Ruth Giles has a Pitcairn Island cover, cancelled at Pitcairn Island 14 December 1939.

The Daniel Talpas Papers contains materials collected by Talpas before, during, and after his time aboard the U.S.S. Philippine Sea, including a numbered photograph set of the Operation Highjump expedition, and nearly complete runs of the newsletters produced by the ship's crew, including the "Philippine Sea Line" and "Penguin Special." The collection contains general commemorative items available to the crew (stationary, matchbooks, publications), as well as items specific to Talpas, including his Ancient Order of the Deep summons and certificate, and photographs he personally took. The collection also includes Talpas' Plank Owner certificate for the U.S.S. Philippine Sea, as well as a few articles from magazines about the ship and Operation Highjump. Materials date primarily from the time immediately before, during, and after the expedition in 1946-1947, and one article about Admiral Byrd and Operation Highjump dates from 1954.

The Orville March Scrapbooks contain scrapbooks compiled by Orville March, Junior dated 1946-1948, 1967, and 1995. The scrapbooks mostly contain newspaper clippings related to Operation Highjump as well as certificates, programs, and a photograph. Also included is the Shellback certificate given to March during his service aboard the U.S.S. (United States Ship) Pine Island to commemorate crossing the equator.

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.

Walter Giles Correspondence to Betty Kerr While Serving on the U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition includes a single-page, typed letter dated January 18, 1941 and the envelope it was mailed in. The letter thanks Betty Kerr, a friend of Giles located in Philadelphia, for letters and cards she sent him while he was in Little America, Antarctica. Giles talks about his experiences in Antarctica over the past year, including the cold temperatures and weather, food, entertainment options, and shares his hopes of bringing home a puppy born in Antarctica to his father. He shares a few brief anecdotes about his time there, including a forced plane landing 80 miles away from camp that resulted in a rescue hours later. Giles sends well wishes to friends and family back home, and mentions he is eager to reunite with "Evelyn" in Seattle.

"Dr. Louis Hauiti Potaka of New Zealand: A Biographical Essay" Manuscript by Bruce Young dates from December 2005, and consists of a typed manuscript. It is a brief biographical essay written by Young that describes what he learned about Potaka's life and participation in the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II through secondary source research. The first version of this essay was published on December 31, 1999; the version in this collection is the revised December 2005 edition.

"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 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.

"The Daily Dirt" by Walfred Miller, Annotated and Edited by Michael J. Hughes is a transcription of Miller's daily logbook from his time aboard the "Bear of Oakland" during the Byrd Antaractic Expedition II (BAE II) from September 1933 through May 1935. Miller's log records his experiences and thoughts, as well as as the ship's location, weather, recipes, autographs from crew members, lists of correspondence he sent and received throughout the expedition, and lists of rolls of film he used. Michael J. Hughes transcribed the pages of Miller's logbook into a typescript in 2009 as part of a personal research project, and included photocopies of select original pages. The document also includes photocopies of photographs from the expedition, and supplemental information added by Hughes, such as maps and images of Antarctica. The end of the document includes photocopies of newspaper articles and photographs about Miller's life in Alaska after BAE II. This edition was revised in 2019 to include the supplements.

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.