The MacAlister papers consist largely of correspondence, mostly by Dr. MacAlister but some letters addressed to him; subjects covered include MacAlister’s views on technical education and the administrative and financial concerns of operating the Drexel Institute. Of particular interest among the correspondence are a set of letters to Wilson Brothers and Co., an engineering and architectural firm, pertaining to the construction of Drexel's Main Building, as well as correspondence with notable figures such as Booker T. Washington and Andrew Carnegie. In addition to correspondence, the collection also contains a copy of MacAlister’s book, Manual Training in the Philadelphia Public Schools; addresses and a set of lectures by Dr. MacAlister; a brief set of financial records; and Dr. MacAlister’s personal notebook.

Before coming to the archives, the collection was used as research material for the writing of the book Drexel Institute of Technology 1891-1941: A Memorial History. MacAlister’s correspondence was arranged and heavily annotated by Harriet E. Worrell, who worked as a research assistant for the book. Ms. Worrell served as secretary to President Matheson from 1924 and secretary of the Alumni Association from 1925. The series labeled “research files” includes records produced or gathered by her in preparation for the book. Within the correspondence series, all of the handwritten notes on typing paper, and any of the typed copies of letters that are interfiled with the originals, are believed to be the work of Ms. Worrell.

Series within the collection are arranged alphabetically by subject, with the exception of correspondence, which is placed first because of its size. Within the series, correspondence is arranged chronologically. Many letters have been clipped, annotated, and/or retyped by Harriet Worrell. Photocopies and retyped copies of letters found in Ms. Worrell’s research notes, as well as some typed copies of letters not found in the original form, have been interfiled with the original MacAlister letters compiled by Ms. Worrell. Ms. Worrell’s research notes have been divided by the archivist into biographical notes about James MacAlister and notes pertaining to the early history of the Drexel Institute. Within the Drexel history file, broad overviews of the institute and its departments are at the beginning, followed by correspondence and research notes, and the list of faculty toward the end.