The records of the Friends of McGilvray Road are arranged alphabetically by subject and document type. Although there is some documentation dating back to the transfer of ownership of the bridges to the DNR in 1975, the bulk of the records date from 1989-2005. Also included are research materials dating from 1897-1946. These materials document the efforts of the Friends to save the bridges from the proposed demolition and their ongoing efforts to preserve the bridges. The correspondence primarily reflects the Friends' relationship and dealings with the DNR and the Preservation Alliance of La Crosse. In addition to correspondence, there are incorporation papers, minutes, news clippings, background papers and articles, and publicity and fundraising materials. The publicity and fundraising materials include records related to the McGilvray Road print series, and three manuscripts written by Ray Kyro. Kyro's manuscript's, The Historic McGilvray Road and the Friends Who Saved Them, The McGilvray Road and Bridges Guide, and Wisconsin's Bridges to the Past, detail the history of the McGilvray Road bridges and discuss the Van Loon Wildlife Area. Also included are maps of the area and a run of Horton's Clips (1990-1999), a monthly newsletter distributed by the Friends and detailing their activities.
The photographs, transparencies, and negatives which depict the bridges and various activities conducted by the Friends to promote awareness of the bridges were copied. The copies reside with the records; the originals are in the Visual Materials Archive at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
