Files 1 through 19 are trips taken by Michener as he related them during the writing of Centennial. 20-27 were added. The files contain letters and documents. Photographs were removed to File VIII.

File IV. Gimcracks: 1-31 are as James Michener relates them: "My wife has an insatiable desire to collect nonsense items, and although I fight against this with all my moral strength, I am powerless to halt her. When I am working on a new subject, I also like to collect small items which remind me of certain places or events. The result is this box full of junk." Items 32- were added as objects were found.