The collection reflects George Hartzog's long and dedicated involvement with the National Park Service and his deep concern for America's parks. Most of the papers are from Hartzog's eight-year tenure as Director of the National Park Service. In addition, there is material from his earlier job positions with the organization. Also, some papers concerning his book and life after the National Park Service are in this collection. Some information regarding Hartzog's education and army career can also be found. However, there is not much material concerning Hartzog's personal life except some correspondence. The bulk of this collection dates from the 1960s to the 1970s. Some of the dates in the series overlap because files had already been set up for the subject matter.

The Subject File and Subject File Additions series consists primarily of the material Hartzog used during his tenure as Director of the National Park Service and his earlier job positions with the organization. Information regarding policies and various other aspects of the National Park Service are kept in these two series. There is material on numerous parks, recreation areas, historic sites and monuments that Hartzog was involved with throughout his long career. Memos, speeches, testimonies and some correspondence can be found in these two series. In addition, Hartzog's personnel files as well as information on his education, army career and his resignation from the National Park Service can also be found.

The Book Material series contains the drafts and revisions of Hartzog's book, Battling for the National Parks, and some other related material. The Post Park Service series contains material pertaining to the period after Hartzog resigned from the National Park Service at the end of December 1972. In addition, this series has some correspondence and other material generally related to the National Park Service.

The Hartzog Papers will be of especial interest to researchers interested in the National Park Service. This collection contains a great deal of information about parks, recreation areas, historic sites and monuments, as well as policies and other matters regarding America's national parks system. George B. Hartzog, Jr. was lively, innovative, and skillful in his dealings with the United States Congress. He balanced his dual and conflicting responsibilities of preservation and public recreation. The Hartzog Papers reflect the great importance and difficulty of presiding over an expanding, priceless national parks system of unbelievable size, complexity and diversity-30 million acres scattered throughout the United States and its territories.