The collection consists of images documenting the history of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill organized into eleven series by broad categories: administration and staff, 1897-1980s; alumni, 1900-1979; athletics, 1890s-1999 and undated; buildings and grounds, 1799-1999 and undated; documents, 1950s and undated; keepsakes, 1980s-1990s and undated; military affairs, 1910-1980s and undated; organizations, 1878-1990s and undated; schools and colleges, 1870-1980s; special events, 1910s-1980s; and students, 1870-1990s. Images are in a variety of formats, primarily black-and-white photographic prints, but also including film negatives, 35mm color slides, 35mm roll film negatives, illustrations, color lithographs, pages from publications, and other types of documents.