This collection documents the two-term administration of Susan Hammer, who served as Mayor of San Jose between the years 1990 and 1998. The collection consists of administrative files, press and publicity, awards, photographs, videotapes, correspondence, and other memorabilia collected primarily during Hammer's mayoralty. Also included are the files of the Protocol Office created during the term of Hammer's predecessor, Tom McEnery.

This collection documents the professional and personal life of Susanne B. Wilson before, during, and after her career in local politics, as well as her community activism and work with San José State University. It includes newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, awards, event materials, writings, and other memorabilia. This collection spans from 1912 to 2017, with the majority of the materials spanning from 1970 to 2000.