The committee appointed by the Academy of Natural Sciences formed the nucleus of the local committee but later was enlarged to include various others appointed by Franklin Institute, the University of Pennsylvania, American Philosophical Society, etc. These members enlarged the committee to 157 members including influential residents of Philadelphia as well as scientists, thus aiming to make the convention a city project.

The papers consist of minutes of the various subcommittees, the financial records and several hundred letters. Edward J. Nolan was the secretary, so probably left these papers in the vault of the Academy for safe keeping.