The records consist of minutes from weekly meetings with outlines of reports presented. The topics included issues in political and legal history, international relations, historical figures, slavery, abolition, American Indian policies, railroad history, American expansion, and historical methods. Although the United States and Europe were the primary focus, some meetings focused on Africa, India, Russia, and Latin America.

The Historical Seminary was an upper level class offered by the Department of History to "afford a practical training in methods of historical research through the use of original materials" [from the Annual Register]. Weekly sessions included the presentation and discussion of papers, reports, book reviews and other independent research.

1.75 Linear feet

The materials are open for research use.