The papers of Harold E. Hughes consist of 200 linear feet of manuscripts dating from 1962 to 1975. Primarily office files, these papers are divide into two series: 1) Gubernatorial Papers and 2) Senatorial Papers. Each series is then divided into ten or eleven sections. The senatorial papers are listed on a separate record. The gubernatorial papers are arranged in the following order: 1)Alphabetical subject files; 2) Governor's advisory committee; 3) Appointments; 4) General assembly 60 -- 62; 5) Clemency and penal; 6) Press releases, radio broadcasts fact sheets, etc.; 7) Speeches; 8) Newspaper clippings; 9) Campaign and miscellaneous; 10) Photographs; 11) Tapes; and Oversized materials. The index for both the combined gubernatorial and senatorial papers are combined at the end of each respective record.

The major topics include: agriculture, alcoholism, banks, commerce, courts, crime, Democratic Party, drug abuse, education, manpower, draft, Richard Nixon, practical politics, postal service, poverty, public welfare, public works, roads, soil conservation, taxation, transportation, United Nations, veterans, Vietnamese conflict, and water pollution. The Iowa cities of Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, and Waterloo are well represented. There is correspondence from: Hubert H. Humphrey, Edward M. Kennedy, and Walter F. Mondale.