The Estate of James Johnson Sweeney collection spans the years 1950-1977 and documents James Johnson Sweeney's (JJS) activities as director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (1952-1960). A small number of materials extend beyond his tenure at the museum. The collection consists of both personal and professional correspondence, essays written by JJS, exhibition catalogs, administrative records, financial documents, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, press releases, brochures, reports, and a scrapbook.

The bulk of the collection is comprised of correspondence, which includes typed and hand-written letters (originals and copies), memoranda, notes, cards, and telegrams. Though primarily written by JJS, correspondence also consists of materials either written on his behalf by museum employees or redirected to his office. Of particular note among the general correspondence are several letters between JJS and Harry F. Guggenheim (HFG) regarding JJS's attempted resignation in 1958. Congratulatory correspondence contains letters written to JJS and his responses on the occasion of the opening of the museum's Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building in October, 1959. While the majority of these letters came from casual visitors to the SRGM, offering various comments, compliments, and, occasionally, criticism, JJS also received salutations from curators and directors of national and international galleries and museums as well. Severance correspondence includes letters between JJS and HFG discussing the terms of JJS's resignation and a draft of the official press release announcing his resignation, as well as letters of support from friends, colleagues, and artists. The César correspondence consists of a several letters concerning the importation of a sculpture by César Baldaccini along with three Polaroid photographs of the piece itself. The Quadrum correspondence deals with JJS's participation in the publication of the inaugural issue of the Belgian journal devoted to modern art in 1956.

Newspaper and magazine clippings cover a number of topics and have been culled from national and international publications. These include the opening of the Frank Lloyd Wright building and the controversy surrounding its design, various SRGM exhibitions, and JJS's resignation as director. The scrapbook contains articles on the Frank Lloyd Wright building from October and November, 1959. Additionally included is a group of materials, largely correspondence, relating to the South Eastern College Art Conference of 1959, at which JJS gave the principal address.