The Richard J. Hughes papers contain the professional and personal papers of Richard J. Hughes from his time as Governor of New Jersey and Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, and from his other political and professional activities. Additional materials relating to the former governor may be found at the New Jersey State Archives.

The majority of the collection dates from Mr. Hughes' time as Governor of New Jersey, 1961-1969, and includes correspondence, speeches and public statements, schedules of appearances and events, subject files, scrapbooks, photographs, and ephemera. Materials from Mr. Hughes' tenure as Chief Justice include correspondence, subject files, speeches and public statements, scrapbooks, photographs, and ephemera.

There is also a substantial amount of material dealing with the American Bar Association's Commission on Correctional Facilities and Service, with which Mr. Hughes was involved, and some material on the Democratic National and New Jersey State Committees. The collection also includes a smaller amount of personal materials as well as personal ephemera.