The Margaret McDonald papers date from 1964 to 2004. The papers are arranged in 10 series: Personal, Republican Party Materials, Correspondence, Press Releases, Speeches, Newspaper Clippings, Presidential Campaign Materials, Scrapbook, Bipartisan Materials, and Artifacts. Margaret McDonald was active in Iowa Republican politics from 1973 to 1980. Her papers contain letters, memoranda, notes, photographs, some biographical materials, press releases, speeches, and position papers relevant to both Iowa politics and national presidential primary campaigns during those years.

The Personal series includes her resumes, awards McDonald has recived for her political work, as well as photographs and memorabilia from various inagurations.

The Republican Party Materials series focuses on her work as a member of the Republican party. This includes newsletters, conventions she attended and presented at, and committees she served on.

Correspondence includes letters from the Republican National Committee, particularly from Mary Dent Crisp and Mary Louise Smith, relating to efforts of the Republican party during the 1970s to encourage women to join and become more active in the party. During her years as Republican Party Co-Chair, McDonald received correspondence from national political figures such as Gerald Ford, Robert Dole, Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockfeller, and Ronald Reagan.

The Press Releases series series covers releases that she was covered in and recieved.

The Speaches series includes the transcrips of McDonald's speeches as well as some background research.

The Newspaper Clippings series showcases pieces both about McDonald's activities and other noteworthy events within the republican party.

The Presidential campaign Material series includes her work for the Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush campaigns as well as early running material for presidential candidate Rob Dole who failed to recieve the Republican nomination in 1988.

The Scrapbook series contains her personal scrapbook as well as one documenting the Wiley Mayne Gals.

The Bipartisan Materials series has information for general politics in Iowa.

The Artifacts series includes campaign stickers, convention badges, party badges, political humor book, and various Republican party items.

An autographed photograph of Ronald Reagan from the mid-1940s is included in the photographs.