The Magdalen Meade papers date from 1891 to 1992 and measure 7 linear inches plus artifacts and audiocassettes. The papers are arranged in four series: Biographical, Politics, Farm Accounts, and Artifacts.

The Biographical series contains information about Magdalen Meade as well as members of her family, including her mother Pellagia Birrer Walsh. The family history information includes a family tree with detailed birth and death information, as well as occupation, education, and religious affiliations of family members. In the oral history interview with Magdalen Meade conducted by her son-in-law Andor Skotnes in 1992, Meade discusses her childhood in rural southeast Iowa and her family, education, marriage and children. The series also contains Meade's wedding diary and her recipe notebook.

The Politics series concerns Magdalen Meade's political activism and includes information about the Iowa Constitutional Convention of 1980, the Iowa Democratic Party, news clippings, and correspondence. Also included is detailed information on the 1982 gubernatorial campaign of Roxanne Conlin for which Meade was Henry County Democratic Party coordinator.

The Farm Accounts series consists of farm record books of the Meade farm from 1962-1973. The accounts contain detailed information on insurance, livestock, crops, and taxes.

The Artifacts series contains Democratic political campaign buttons, and other paraphernalia associated with Meade's political activities.