Part I of the records of the American Studies Association spans the years 1946-2003, with the bulk of the material dating from 1965 to 1980. The records are organized in an Administrative File and series. The Administrative File contains correspondence, committee material, minutes and notes of meetings, financial records, and program information. Files dedicated to committees chronicle the history of the organization and the development of a definition of “American studies.” The files also include items from the Radical Caucus of the ASA, a short-lived ad hoc committee. Membership files and surveys illustrate the membership of the organization, and program surveys document the teaching of American studies.

Also contained in the Administrative File are the files of the National American Studies Faculty, an organization within the American Studies Association that existed from 1972 until the late 1970s, when it lost its main source of funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The purpose of the organization was to develop and expand American studies programs at the high school and college level. It also collected and distributed course outlines and bibliographies for those seeking to enhance the American studies curriculum.

The bulk of the records consists of correspondence, queries, and articles that were submitted to the board of editors and rejected. Material that was selected for publication is filed by date of issue. Other files include selections of the editorial board, pending articles, and correspondence between the journal and the American Studies Association.

Part II of the records of the American Studies Association spans the years 1951-2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1980 to 2005. The records primarily contain correspondence, printed programs, and minutes of meetings. Subjects include annual meetings of the association, committees, council meetings, prizes, and the .