This series contains the mayoral records of Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. Included are memos and letters from Allen and his administrative assistants, Dan Sweat and Earl Landers. Also included are memos from his political advisor, Helen Bullard. These and other records, such as reports, budgets, telegrams, letters, publications, minutes of meetings, newspaper clippings, and news releases document the activities of the Mayor's office, city departments, and the Atlanta Board of Alderman during both terms of Mayor Allen's administration, (1962-1969) although most of the records originate from his second term (1966-1969). The records illustrate the Allen administration's efforts in dealing with issues such as housing, equal opportunity, community relations, public safety, urban renewal, politics, and public transportation.

Of special note are records which document historical events related to Civil Rights, racial matters, and politics, including Allen's testimony in favor of the 1963 Civil Rights Act; the closure of Peyton Road and other thoroughfares during a time of racial transition; the 1966 riots in the Summerhill neighborhood of Atlanta; and the ascendance of businessman Lester Maddox to the office of Governor of Georgia. Regarding the latter, Allen expressed disapproval over Maddox's victory in the 1966 Democratic gubernatorial primary. Most of the material in these records are hand written and typed letters from residents of Atlanta and around the world which express support or disapproval of Allen's action in these areas. Also included are letters of sympathy and condolence addressed to Allen's office after the Orly Field (Paris) plane crash that killed over 100 Atlantans. Other events with documentation include the 1966 Fire department strike; preparations for the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the inaugural seasons for the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons, and the annexation of Sandy Springs.

Other documentation in this series includes city departmental records from the departments of Water, Transportation, Public Safety, Aviation, Housing, Parks, Education, Finance, Buildings, Fire, Law, Personnel, Planning, and Police. Constituent correspondence is represented among records in the Police and Housing department files. The series also include records generated by Aldermanic committees, including the Water; Police; Finance; Planning & Development; Public Works; Traffic; and Planning & Zoning departments, among others.

Additional records originate from the mayor's representation on local commissions and on federal task forces such as Community Relations Commission; Atlanta Region Metropolitan Planning Commission; Housing Resource Committee; Atlanta Summitt Leadership Conference; Central Atlanta Progress; Atlanta Children and Youth Services Council; Local Education Commission; Economic Opportunity Atlanta; Technical Coordinating Committee for Public Transportation; Atlanta Urban Corps; National Urban Coalition; Model Cities; and the United States Conference of Mayors.