Most of this archive documents the High School for Girls. The administrative records comprise prospecti for both High Schools, registers of attendance, 1875-1896, examinations, 1855-1858, 1884-1888, fees, 1863-1869, and corporal punishment, 1892-1896, 1949-1960, and memoranda from the Rector applying to either the boys' division or to both High Schools, 1897-1904. There are also working notes for teachers, 1902-1903, 1921-1931, and scrapbooks of programmes, clippings and notes concerning activities in both schools, covering the years 1913 to 1960. Examination papers, 1872-1882, a guest book, 1919-1943, an annotated address book of High School for Girls staff prepared by Principal L.M. Hendrie, 1911-1945, and photographic portraits of the Principals of the High School for Girls round out this series. Student activities are reflected not only in the official scrapbooks, but also in minute books, photograph albums and scrapbooks of the High School for Girls' Athletic Association, 1912-1913, Literary and Debating Society, 1906-1908, and English Club, 1935-1940. There are a large number of photographs of girls' sports teams, 1915-1941, as well as a scrapbook of clippings on the activity of High School for Girls Alumnae, 1953-1956.

The fonds contains Macfarlane's papers, concentrating on his geological research and his professional work in mining. They comprise: geological and chemical notes made in Germany and England, 1855; geological notes on New Brunswick, 1855-1856, the copper mines of Upper Telemarken, Norway, 1861, Quebec, 1861-1862, and Eldorado Canyon, Nevada, 1887; laboratory journals and records of results, 1851-1856, 1859-1882, 1884-1889; and letterbooks, notebooks and memoranda on geology, 1863-1899.

Gould's papers fall into two series. Family correspondence covers the years 1856 to 1860, when Joseph and his brother Charles were travelling in Europe, and consists of letters home from both young men, and their parents' replies. Manuscript music comprises two volumes of church anthems, with some organ music; some are original compositions by Gould and Samuel Warren. Related to this is Gould's brief manuscript account of the origin of the Mendelssohn Choir. Some family photographs are also included.

Snell's research files for his history of Macdonald College contain drafts of the book, and files of notes, extracts and clippings collected as background material. Included are two volumes of an attendance register from an unidentified Québec public school, 1857-1869.

The fonds consists of records from the McGill University Chemistry Society including minutes (1902-1940); correspondence, lists of speakers, lecture announcements and other papers related to speakers (1984-1990); and society papers, with reference to B. Purves, J.T. Donald and W.C. Purdy (1972-1985).

The Kyle-Addie Fonds consists of records created by Mary Elizabeth Kyle and George Kyle Addie and includes three letters of recommendation for Mary Elizabeth Kyle from Professors Hicks, Robins, and Darvey of the McGill Normal School; a certificate of honour awarded to Mary Elizabeth, 1862; Mary Elizabeth's teaching diploma, 1862; a handwritten song by George Kyle Addie; 3 photos owned by George Kyle Addie of members of science class, 1889; 1 B.A.Sc.diploma awarded to George Kyle Addie, 1889.

The fonds consists of one 9 x 12" (23 x 30.5 cm) envelope containing a box of lecture tickets, testimonials and receipts collected by Dr. Walter J. McInnes MD 1865. The cards were issues between 1862 and 1865 and as is customary, they contain certification of Dr. McInnes' attendance and his assistance in a number of courses.

The majority of this collection is correspondence between Annie Holiday Pelletier and her parents Elise and William Holiday. The collection also includes correspondence with and between other family members, photographs, genealogical and biographical information, and miscellaneous material about the Rondeau, Holiday, and Pelletier families. Included is an early written exchange, circa 1864, between Elise Rondeau and a local parish priest who disagree on religious freedom and the interpretation of a biblical passage. The correspondence between Annie and her parents, including the period in which she is a student at McGill, is written in French (from and to her mother) and English (from and to her father). This correspondence provides a vital resource on early student life and the day-to-day concerns of a young woman living away from home in late 19th Montreal. The correspondence is rich in its detail and frankness on matters of family life, conflict, and religious and educational issues.