The Donald E. Lukens Papers, dated 1954-1991 with a bulk of the material dating 1966-1974, contains correspondence, scrapbooks, case files, reports, photographs, awards, bills, political cartoons, requests, pamphlets, and questionnaires regarding Lukens' political career, and to a lesser extent, his personal life. Materials in the collection reflect the multiple roles that Lukens functioned under as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate. Some materials, such as the bills and subject files, reflect Lukens' role as a legislator as he reviewed political issues and voted on bills. Other materials, such as correspondence, case files and requests from constituents highlight Lukens' role as a public servant. Lukens also engaged in other political activities such as running for office, being a member of the Republican Party and giving speeches at events within his district.

The majority of the collection focuses on Lukens' first term as United States Representative from 1966-1970, and on his time as an Ohio Senator from 1971-1986, with the latter materials focusing mainly on 1973-1974. There are a few scrapbooks that contain news clippings regarding the events that caused Lukens to resign from office, and other files that are about Lukens' 1987-1990 term as a congressman in the United States House of Representatives.