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 Byrd Antarctic Expedition I Collection contains materials both from and about Byrd Expedition I, some of which date after the expedition. Materials include black and white photographs and glass slides from the expedition, artifacts from Byrd's flagship the United States Ship City of New York, commemorative medals given in recognition of the expedition, promotional material about the expedition and Byrd's tour, and a drawing of the United States Ship City of New York by the creator of Smokey the Bear. Also included are VHS videocassette and DVD copies of black and white film shot by expedition member Lawrence Gould during his time in Antarctica, with a commentary track recorded later in his life. The collection dates from 1928 to 1940 and 1980 to 2003, with the bulk of materials dated 1928 to 1930.