Collection consists of photographs of geologic formations and topographic features; native peoples; northern communities; logging, mining, fishing and whaling activities; survey field parties; and miscellaneous subjects including some of U.S. Geologic Survey offices and staff. Most photographs were taken in Alaska, but also represented are the Yukon, Virginia, Maryland and Texas. Texas photographs are of oil fields and refineries, ca. 1917. Most photographs are dated and include descriptive captions. Photographs received in albums but removed for conservation purposes.

Fonds consists of the professional and personal records of Dr. Harvey A. Buckmaster.

The fonds consists of correspondence, contracts and wage agreements, minutes, reports, reference material and financial records; photographs of coal mining operations and conferences, and of individuals prominent in the industry; recorded interviews with L.C. Stevens and Mike Vitalli about the history of coal mining in the west; and an address by Lieutenant-Governor MacEwan to the 24th Canadian Conference on Coal.