The collection consists of selected papers reflecting the many aeronautical activities and interests of McCormick (Princeton Class of 1895) and papers which he collected concerning the history of aviation. Included are correspondence with George A. Spratt, Grover Sexton, Sydney V. James, A. C. Bosch, Glenn H. Curtiss, and others active in the early days of flying; a copy of his paper "From My Experiences Concerning Aviation" (1917) and related diagrams; material about the first International Aviation Meet held in Grant Park, Illinois, in 1911 which was organized, in part, by McCormick; autograph albums including letters of 18th-century balloonists Jacques and Joseph Montgolfier and Charles Bragdon, and a manuscript (1858) of "Des Aerostats et de Leur Direction" by Jules Latrige; correspondence regarding patents; and plans and designs for airplanes, including McCormick's "umbrella" plane.

Six volumes of photographs (1910-1913) include pictures of Wilbur Wright, Walter Brookings, Glenn H. Curtiss, Grover F. Sexton, Rene Simon, Thomas Sopwith, and other pioneer pilots with their various flying-machines, the first pictures taken from an airplane in America, scenes of Chicago and the International Aviation Meet, and McCormick's Curtiss-built hydroplane. Also present are several model airplanes, souvenirs, pamphlets, early aviation magazines, and prints.