The archive, measuring about 70 meters, consists of about 2,300 drawings, written documents, photographs and a small number of (glass) negatives. In addition to the design and construction history of the Rijksmuseum, the archive also documents the competitions for the museum that preceded its construction.
In the archive were found competition entries by Cuypers and Eberson. The series of Cuypers' design drawings from both 1863 and 1875 are nearly complete. Eberson's 1875 series was also found complete. There were no drawings of Eberson's participation in the 1863 competition in this archive. However, a complete series from 1866 was found, with which Eberson, by order of the commission for the preparation of the foundation of an Kunstmuzeüm, elaborated on the winning designs of Cuypers and Lange from 1863.
In the archive documenting the construction of the Rijksmuseum and the director's residence (1876-1883), sketches, design and presentation drawings as well as working and detail drawings were found. The drawings were made in pencil, ink and watercolor using as mediums: paper, transparent, tracing paper and linen. Regularly, for the sake of sturdiness, the transparent or tracing paper was glued again on paper or thicker paper. Archive material was also available of the renovations and expansions of later dates.
The photographer of many of the photographs in the archive is unknown. However, work by the following photographers was found: A.G. Beltman (Enschede), E.A. van Blitz (Utrecht), B.F. Eilers (Amsterdam), P. Morren (Leuven), Wegner & Mottu (Leuven).