The Class of 1892 Photograph collection was created for display at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 in Chicago, Illinois. The photographic prints were displayed to demonstrate the campus, facilities, and practices at Michigan State Normal College. Most of the photographs show classrooms, with and without students, in the Old Main Building (also known as Old Pierce Hall) and the Conservatory building.

The Class of 1892 Photograph collection has been kept in its original physical order. Each cardboard mount has a number printed on the back, and these have been noted in the arrangement and description, although the physical arrangement did/does not reflect this numbering system. The photographs have been divided into four series: Architecture, Student Groups, Classes and Training School.