Biographical files concerning the Principals and Presidents of Mount Holyoke College date from circa 1875 to the present and contain primary and secondary sources relating to these individuals. Materials concern those who have served as principals or presidents of Mount Holyoke as well as those who have been acting or interim principals and presidents. These materials consist of correspondence and writings by them, curriculum vitae and resumes, books, biographical sketches, press releases, genealogical information, obituaries, tributes, notes, audiocassettes, compact discs, and photographs. The files for Mary Emma Woolley include recollections about her by alumnae in the Classes of 1905-1938. Files for Elizabeth T. Kennan and Lynn Pasquerella contain Mount Holyoke College records from their years as students at Mount Holyoke. Materials relating to Joseph J. Ellis (Acting President, January-June 1984) contain six audiocassettes of an interview of him on C-SPAN's "Booknotes" program in 1997, seven compact discs containing fourteen lectures by him concerning the "Brotherhood of the Revolution: how America's founders forged a new nation," recorded for the Modern Scholar program in 2004, and eight compact discs containing his lectures about "Patriots: Brotherhood of the American Revolution," recorded for the Barnes and Noble "Portable Professor" Series, 2004. Materials for Joanne Creighton include a video recording of her introduction to the Mount Holyoke community as President-Elect in 1995. The files also include memorabilia that belonged to some of these individuals and information about their families.

Materials are arranged by the tenure in office of each individual.