Conrad's papers consist mainly of scrapbooks, political campaign files and memorabilia, business files, files on his civic and philanthropic endeavors, and miscellaneous personal information. Also included are reel to reel films, audio and video tapes, and limited information from his time spent working for Birch Bayh.

The majority of the collection is focused on Conrad's activities as a candidate and fund raiser for the Democratic Party, and as a civic and community leader. His scrapbooks and political campaign files focus on his career as an Indiana politician and state official. Papers relating to his civic and philanthropic endeavors show his involvement and commitment to the community. Private business papers reveal his activities in planning fund raisers with Herbert and Diane Meyer Simon, and directing contributions for Melvin Simon and Associates.

There are nine series: Birch Bayh, Political, Business, Civic, Personal, Scrapbooks, Photographs, Audio, and Marion Lynching Research Materials.

Birch Bayh files (1962-1973) include speeches, notes, an outline and preface for a proposed book on the 25th amendment, correspondence, memorabilia, clippings, and the transcript of a 1969 oral history interview with Conrad.

Political campaign files (1969-1978) are arranged into subject files, county files, press releases, and memorabilia. Subject files, arranged alphabetically, generally follow Conrad's original organizational scheme, except that his labor files(Labor Day, Collective Bargaining, OSHA, Machinists, Pensions, and UAW) have been combined into a general Labor file, and loose papers have been interfiled into his system as appropriate. County files are arranged alphabetically, following Conrad's original organizational scheme. Subject and county files contain memos, correspondence, clippings, publicity materials, and press releases. Press releases (1970-1976, bulk 1973 and 1976) are also filed separately, by year and date, and include two volumes of collected press releases from 1976. Memorabilia files include stickers, brochures, fliers, newsletters, buttons, and plans for publicity campaigns.

Business files (1979-1990) are arranged into records from Conrad and Hafsten(1979-1983), Melvin Simon and Associates(1983-1989) and The Conrad Group(1989-1990). The Conrad and Hafsten records contain correspondence, tax returns, plans for political fundraising events, and memos on monies raised for the Carter/Mondale presidential ticket in 1980. The Melvin Simon and Associates records include clippings, articles, correspondence, memos, speeches, speech notes, and papers relating to planning Circle Centre Mall, White River State Park, and political, civic, and charitable events. The Conrad Group's files contain correspondence and organizational documents.

Civic files (1977-1990) are arranged into Indianapolis Press Club files, National Sports Festival files, files on the Tenth Pan American Games, and general files. Indianapolis Press Club files are primarily scripts from the press club's annual Gridiron Dinners, but also include invitations, programs, and news coverage of the event from 1977, 1980, 1982-1983, and 1985-1987. Also included are organizational documents, correspondence, and memos relating to the club. National Sports Festival files contain correspondence, memos, minutes and agendas of the Ceremonies Committee, the plan for the Opening Ceremonies, and publications promoting the festival. Files on the Tenth Pan American Games include correspondence, photocopied material from the organizing committee's controversial visit to Cuba, and miscellaneous plans and materials from the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. General files include correspondence, memos, programs, clippings, and organizational documents from civic and nonprofit groups associated with Conrad.

Personal files (1947-1993) include miscellaneous biographical information, legal documents, plans and scripts for birthday parties held by and for Conrad, personal correspondence(primarily from 1984-1986), photocopied correspondence and clippings(primarily from 1988, but including 1986 and 1987), and eulogies and memorials to Conrad.

Scrapbooks are arranged by date and occasionally by topic. The scrapbooks contain primarily news clippings, some correspondence and mementoes of Conrad's political and public life; however, some do contain news clippings of family activities and information, greeting cards and personal mementoes. Each scrapbook has a slip of paper indicating the years covered. The bulk of the scrapbooks cover the 1970's.

Photographs(1935-1990) include professional, political, and personal photographs of Conrad, family members, business and political associates.

Audio tapes (1962-1975) include Inauguration Ceremonies of Conrad as Secretary of State, the Conrad gubernatorial candidacy announcement and the Birch Bayh candidacy jingle for which Mary Lou Conrad wrote the lyrics.

Marion Lynching Research Materials (1977-1978) include research notes and audio recordings of research on the 1930 Marion, Indiana lynchings.