The Central Files series documents all major NAM initiatives until about 1970. Prior to its move to Washington, DC in 1974, NAM maintained files in a central location. The subseries and file order reflect how NAM maintained the files. It is arranged into fifty subseries according to subject headings created by NAM. The subject headings are denoted by a subject code, 100-A through 100-ZZ and 200-A. Subject code 100-E, files related to Industrial Relations, were removed from the original run of files and can be found in Series XXV, Open Shop Department and Series XVII, Industrial Relations Department.

The subseries are: General files; Memoranda; Advertising; Promotion; Awards; Industrial Environment Division; Biographies; Inter-office bulletins; Business, Industry, Education Day (BIE Day); Chamber of Commerce; International Labor Organization (ILO); Charters; Government Relations Division — Government finance; NAM policy committees; Conventions; Corporate records; Financial records; Education Department; Free enterprise; Films; International Conference of Manufacturers; Science and Technology Department; Council for Latin America; Inflation; Insurance; International Affairs Division; La Follette Committee; Lobbying; Program Planning Division; Conferences, meetings — other than NAM; Membership; Toland, Lt. Ben; Reports; Organizations, foundations, and associations; Personnel; Positions; Public information — public relations; Publications; Radio and TV; Releases; Religion (clergy-industry); Research; Speeches; Taxes; United Nations; United States government; Women’s clubs; National Industrial Council (NIC); Market Development/Distribution Department; and Urban affairs.

This series should be used in conjunction with individual departments series.

Realizing the importance of good will on American education, NAM created the Education Department in 1949. The department was charged with establishing a college speaker program, meeting with educators and students, participating in educational conferences, and providing educational content and programs.

The series includes content the Education Department created, statements given before Congress regarding education, and material related to committees and groups focusing on education, along with larger portions dedicated to the traveling exhibit “Americade,” presented in the mid-1950s, the Education Advisory Committee, and the Education Committee work during the 1960s and early 1970s. The files are arranged alphabetically, then chronologically as necessary, while the statements are arranged chronologically.

This series consists of teaching materials used by Irv Koons in his packaging seminars, particularly the Fundamental of Packaging Seminar, an intensive three day course developed as part of a curriculum for design professionals offered by New York University's School of Continuing Education. This course briefly covered the history of packaging and every aspect of the design process from research and development through final production. It was based on earlier seminars which Koons had conducted under the auspices of the Package Designers Council. In addition to Koons's syllabus, lecture notes, and supplementary course materials, the records in this series include seminar and conference bulletins, packaging and design newsletters, a clippings file, conference papers, and manufacturers' catalogs and product specifications for various packaging materials.