The George L. Ames Papers consist of military records and personal, business, and family records of George L. Ames. This collection has been arranged into three series.

Series I. Records of the U. S. Army Subsistence Department includes correspondence, cash books, letter books, order books and account books created by Colonel Ames while in service to the Union Army during the Civil War. As Commissary of Subsistence, Colonel Ames detailed the stores transferred, distributed, and received by varying military units and posts. Material in this series has been arranged chronologically within each subseries.

Series II. Business Records includes correspondence, deeds, certificate of titles, memos, and receipts related to Ames' business endeavors after the war. Included are Ames' multiple investments in mining companies in California and Virginia, and land purchases in Dallas, Lubbock, Hale, and Swisher Counties in Texas. Material in this series has been arranged chronologically within each subseries.

Series III. Personal Papers includes correspondence, military papers, personal financial records, and family estate documents. As a long-time Salem resident, Ames maintained an account with the Salem National Bank and detailed his account transactions over the years. Ames' military discharge papers are included along with his failed applications for public service appointments. Correspondence from family and friends details Ames' concerns towards the end of his life. Finally, estate documents from Caleb M. Ames and Mary S. Ames are also included in this series.