The papers document the development of aviation and the airport in Kent County, Michigan. The largest part of the collection dates from 1930 to 1957 when Walsh was Kent County Airport Manager at the former airport site along Eastern Avenue, south of 32nd Street, in southeast Grand Rapids. Walsh was quick to understand the commercial and military potential of aviation and has often been credited with being the driving force behind efforts in Kent County to advance aviation beyond the era of hobbyists, barnstormers, and poorly maintained airfields to the modern age of professionally managed and commercially successful operations. After his retirement, Walsh maintained his interest in aviation and occasionally worked as a consultant for the Kent County Airport. He continued to collect newspaper clippings, photographs and other papers for many years.

The collection also includes a few papers related to Walsh's service in the 32nd Infantry (Red Arrow) Division during World War I, the 1956 tornado in the Grand Rapids area, the American Legion and lists of suspected Communists in Kent County (1930s and 1950s), which probably related to his position as head of the American Legion's Committee to Combat Communism, as well as various charitable and church organizations to which Walsh belonged.

The following record series are included in the papers: 1) biographical records, 2) correspondence, 3) speeches, 4) appointment books, 5) general subject files, 6) newspaper clippings, 7) Kent County Supervisors Airport Committee minutes, 8) Kent County Board of Control minutes, 9) Kent County Airport Annual Reports, 10) reports and studies, 11) Michigan Board of Aeronautics/Michigan Aeronautics Commission records, 12) memorabilia, 13) miscellaneous papers, 14) publications, 15) tape recordings, and 16) photographs.