The Archives of the American Philosophical Society consists of 192.25 linear feet of material, organized into thirteen record groups dating back to 1743. The Society's archives extensively documents not only the organization's historical development, but also its role in American history and the history of science and technology. This amassed documentation can be accredited to many of the Society's diligent secretaries who saved the Society's records and the Society's residence in the same building since 1789.

The record groups are organized around specific categories, such as minutes and bylaws (I), Officers (V), and Financial Records (IX). Within each record group, sub-groups have been created around specific types of documentation. Sub-groups can vary in size from 1 volume to 5 linear feet, with the arrangement alternating between chronological and alphabetical. Early records tend to be better cataloged than later records. To date, the archives documents the activities of the Society through the mid-1980s. Records for the late twentieth century to present still reside with the office of origination.

For the most part, the Archives documents the history of the Society and its many activities. The primary areas of interest are the Society's members and their regular meetings. Minutes and By-Laws (I), for example, is comprised of the records of early meetings and rules of the Society through the nineteenth century. Additional information on the membership can be found in Record Group IV - Members. The bulk of this record group contains records about members from the nineteenth century but does flow into the twentieth century. It includes letters of nomination, letters of acceptance, as well as biographical sketches and lists of attendance at meetings. Record Group X - Meetings - relates primarily to planning and programs for twentieth century meetings. The activities of the Society as an organization can be found in the record groups for Officers (V), Committees (VIII), and Financial Records (IX); the Society's activities as a collecting institution are documented in the materials for Curators (VI), and Library (VII).

The Archives of the Society also provides a useful source for historians of science and technology. During the early years of the Society, papers on innovations in agriculture, technology, and science were presented at the meetings. Communications (III.1) consists of letters and papers on a variety of topics sent to the APS between the 1770s and 1830s. Many of the papers were read at meetings of the Society, some were published in Transactions, and others were submitted for consideration for the premiums offered by the APS. The letters and papers are on topics such as natural history, mechanics, machinery, and engineering, to name a few. Additionally, Record Group II - "Archives" - provides insight into the Society's activities in promoting scientific expeditions and contact with sister institutions. For example, in the correspondence for the 1836 period can be found reports from certain members of the Society to the Secretary of the Navy in preparation for the United States Exploring Expedition for 1838-1842. Material from Committees (VIII.4, 5, 23, 26, 27 & 34) and Miscellaneous (XI 3 & 4) also relate to the history of science and technology.