Cullom Davis, a history faculty member at SSU, and Marilyn Huff Immel, assistant to the director of the Office of Public Affairs Communication, were members of the publications committee of the Abraham Lincoln Association during the 1980s. The publication committee provided general editorial advice and assistance in the preparation of volumes.

The collection includes original and edited manuscripts that were published in the ALA journal and presented at the annual ALA Symposia from 1984-1988. The authors include noted Lincoln historians Frank J. Williams, John Y. Simon, Charles B. Strozier, Joel H. Silbey, and Tom Schwartz. Also included are Symposium programs, manuscript evaluations, correspondence, lists of ALA members and donors from 1984-1986, printing information, copyright forms, and publication agreements.

The Abraham Lincoln Association was organized in 1908 as the Lincoln Centennial Association. The Journal of the ALA is the only journal devoted exclusively to the legacy of Abraham Lincoln.