The fonds consists of records of several of the early Peterborough Unions. Included are: Moulders' Local 191, Journeymen Tailors 23, Bricklayers 17, Painters and Decorators 370 and 725, United Brotherhood of Carpenters 672, Barbers 402, Pattern Makers, Machinists 286 and Operating Engineers 690, the International Union of Steam and Operating Engineers and the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen," 1917 [in Polish]. Original correspondence from sister unions in Canada is included as well as large volumes of correspondence from the American headquarters of each local. In addition there are several original minute books, secretaries' books, and treasurer's reports for the locals. Published material includes circulars, by-laws, rules of order and constitutions. There are also records dealing with the Peterborough Trades and Labour Council (1902), the Labour Educational Association of Ontario, the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada and the American Federation of Labour, material from the latter two being mostly in the form of circular-type letters.

This collection consists of thirty-five labour posters printed in London, England and Budapest. There are also three charter certificates, one dated 1919, and two dated in 1937, which were issued to the Canadian Brussels Carpet Weavers Benefit Association and to the United Textile Workers Federal Union, both of Peterborough. Also included in the collection is a photograph entitled "Delegates to Twelfth Convention of the P.M.L. of N.A."

This addition to the fonds consists of interviews with prominent NDP and labour activists recalling the 1960 by-election in Peterborough, and the early history of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the riding. As well there are related transcripts; newspaper articles and correspondence.

This fonds consists of transcripts of interviews with Peterborough and area citizens concerning their perceptions of the social, cultural, and political aspects of life in Peterborough from the early 1900s to 1974. There are also three cassette tapes forming one interview with Lorna Cotton-Thomas.