The Early Activities series documents George McGovern's early years from 1939 to 1955, before he held public office. It contains information on his military service as a B-24 pilot during World War II as well as his early political activities in South Dakota. The series includes correspondence, statements, schedules, and press clippings. Of special interest are maps and photographs documenting McGovern's WWII bombing tours in Europe.

This series contains materials from George McGovern's Senate and presidential campaigns. Documents included in this series cover McGovern's first bid for the Senate in 1960, his subsequent campaigns in 1962, 1968, and 1974, and his final, unsuccessful reelection campaign in 1980. The series also documents McGovern's 1968 candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination and his 1972 presidential campaign. In addition, the series includes files on McGovern's political alliances and activities during the 1966 House elections and the 1964 and 1976 presidential elections. Types of materials in this series include files on campaign organization, financial files, promotion and advertising files, issue and policy files, and campaign correspondence.

This series documents George McGovern's activities as the director of the Food for Peace Program (1961-1962) and United States Senator (1962-1980). Of special interest are files documenting McGovern's activities as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Indian Affairs of the Senate Committe on Interior and Insular Affairs (1967-1972) and as Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs (1969-1970, 1973-1977) and its successor, the Subcommittee on Nutrition of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (1978-1980). In addition, the series contains documentation pertaining to McGovern's activities as chairman of the Subcommittee on Agricultural Credit and Rural Electrification (1971-1976) and the Subcommittees on South Asian Affairs (1973-1974) and Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (1975-1977). The series includes legislation and policy files, statements, schedules and invitations, travel files, patronage files, and constituent correspondence.

The Photographs series contains photographs documenting George McGovern's early life as well as his national political career. It comprises private family photos and publicity photos, including head shots, family photos, and candid shots in both private and public settings. The series includes files from 1979-1980 documenting photo-ops and other publicity arrangements. The photographic materials in this series include prints, negatives, and contact sheets.

This series contains items that are peripheral to George McGovern's political activities, material belonging to family members, and secondary material. Items of note include unfiled (and some unopened) correspondence of Eleanor McGovern's and a term paper of McGovern's daughter Susan.

The Biographical series includes awards, resumes and bibliographies, invitations, obituaries and tributes, photographs, and Viner's school papers.