The records of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation are a series of fragments, lacking the complete runs of corporate and executive documents that normally comprise a business archive. The surviving records give a reasonable overview of the company's history and activities, but one which is lacking in depth.

Correspondence and memorabilia of its executive officers consist largely of material collected by Robert McMath, Vice President (Finance) and Secretary. These include organization papers, directories, annual and quarterly reports to the stockholders and internal statistical reports. McMath’s correspondence deals with an assortment of subjects, including those related to the financial downturn of the 1930s and its effect on business and industry. Other letters pertain to plant visits, construction activities, destruction of securities, financial progress of competing steel companies, investments, the benefits of free enterprise over communism, and Bethlehem’s contribution to World War II. Although the bulk of the letters are addressed to McMath, some are directed to Bethlehem Steel Chairman Eugene G. Grace and Charles Schwab.

There are bound collections of documents regarding major mergers and acquisitions and the issuance of stock and bond issues, these documents are most useful in tracing the evolution of corporate structure. Also from McMath's office are scattered legal files of which the most important is a transcript of testimony from the anti-trust proceedings barring the merger with the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company in 1968.

Consists of Irv Koons's business records containing correspondence with clients, marketing research studies, and public relations material.

The correspondence files of Series I cover such subjects as ordnance contracts with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Italy, Russia and Turkey in the pre-World War I years (circa 1906-1913), general business correspondence and memoranda, sales letters, promotion notices, proposals and inquiries, etc. Correspondence regarding Bethlehem Steel's patent infringement suits with Midland Steel and Niles-Bement-Pond Company (1905-1909) are included. Also covered is the construction of an oil refinery in Argentina and the ore mines in Cuba, Puerto Rico, New York and New Jersey.

These topics generated large amounts of correspondence with a narrow focus. This Johnston filed by subject. In addition, Johnston corresponded with a large number of individuals and companies about a wide range of topics. These letters he filed by correspondent. Some correspondents rated their own individual file, while others, with whom Johnston corresponded infrequently, were grouped together in alphabetical folders. Series I reflects this system. Johnston filed his letters both by subject and by correspondent. Subseries A contains letters filed by correspondent, while Subseries B contains letters filed by subject.

Series IV. Correspondence, 1974-2013 pertains to both Kwolek’s personal and professional life detailing her work, various awards, and fan mail.

Company correspondence includes photographs of officials and company dinners, advertising, and folksy homilies sent by Billy Heller to inspire his sales force. One file describes the company’s activities during World War II. There are runs of several employee newsletters and magazines, including the Milprint Communiquė (1942-1945) carrying news of employees serving in the armed forces.

This series includes letters from political and business associates. Of particular note is Reed's extensive correspondence with Eisenhower, beginning in 1951 and continuing with some regularity until Eisenhower's death in 1969. The correspondence reflects their personal friendship and important political association. (See Series Five, “Scrapbooks,” for more Eisenhower correspondence.) Reed wrote personal congratulations to all Eisenhower appointees, which are filed in this series with other political correspondence. Also included in this series are letters between Reed and Dean Acheson, Averell Harriman, Jacob Javits, and Archibald MacLeish.

There are also papers on several trips Reed made as General Electric CEO in Series Four. In 1958, he traveled to the Soviet Union with other electrical industry representatives, visiting plants during a two-week period. This file includes Reed's personal notes, as well as correspondence relating to the trip.

This series holds Lancaster County Court papers (1770-1795), consisting of court record books and dockets.

Consists of Harrison's business papers including correspondence, reports, promotional materials, product literature, publications, and project files. The series traces Harrison's work on what became known as Universal Design, the designing of products for users of all abilities.

The correspondence is primarily personal but contains frequent references to business matters. The bulk of the letters were written by du Pont to his wife, father, and brother. Matters discussed include the Paris printing operations, the firm of du Pont de Nemours, Père et Fils & Cie., the financial affairs of Victor du Pont, E.I. du Pont's horticultural and botanical interests, the patronage of Thomas Jefferson in furthering the successs of the powder company, the establishment of ancillary leather, cotton and woolen manufacturing enterprises on the Brandywine, the tariff issue, the importation of Merino sheep, community affairs, and the education of du Pont's children.

The correspondence between Sophie Dalmas du Pont and her husband E.I. du Pont dates from 1792 through 1817. Much of the correspondence was written prior to the family's emigration to the United States in 1799 and contains details of their life in France. The letters include information on child rearing, health and medicinal recipes, and diet. The correspondence documents her domestic responsibilities and supervison of the family's farm and vineyards. The letters, affectionate in tone, express the couple's mutual sadness at being apart and reflect a companionate marriage.

Her papers include three household account ledgers dating from 1819 to 1827, which were used to record expenses for groceries, clothing, and domestic servants' wages. The ledgers also document production at the family's farm. Bills and receipts date from 1803 to 1827, document purchases of groceries, fabrics, and shoes.

This series consists of 40 items, mostly personal letters written on hotel stationery, dating from 1883-1930s. Box 164

Most correspondents are represented by several letters. The unique experience of travel is chronicled in these descriptive communications. There is even a poem called “Ballad of a Bellboy” from the Yellowstone Park Hotel. The recipients must have valued receiving these letters, as they were presumably saved for posterity, before they likely ended up in an antique store or flea market.

The United Air Lines series includes correspondence, mainly between Thompson and President W.A. Patterson dealing with everyday issues concerning the industry and the airline in particular. Also included are sample publications, general policy, and management information manuals, Public Relations Department memorandums, and a brief from a 1943 court case over the bidding rules for air mail contracts.