The fonds consists of the records of the Zoological Society of Montreal for the entirety of its existence, from 1964-2016. These records were generated in the pursuit of the Zoological Society’s goal to enhance public awareness of wildlife conservation issues through speakers, film screenings, field trips, special events, and large projects. The records also reflect the Society's charity to zoological, ecological and conservation causes. The administration of the Society, its interactions with its members, and its projects and events are documented through minutes, correspondence, communications, published articles, financial documents, reports, and proposals. The Society’s interests and activities are also reflected through books, objects from their offices, audio and video materials, and 5243 photographs, most of which are stored in photo albums. The fonds also contains the records of the Zoological Society of Canada, which were created to administer the Canadian Society similarly to the Montreal Society, with the goal of expanding the organization’s reach nationally.

The fonds is comprised of the following series: 1) Activities (1965-2013); 2) Administration (1964-2016); 3) Artifacts (1980-2004); 4) Books (1967-1991); and 5) Newsletters (1967-2016).

The fonds documents John Mappin’s occupation as an independent antiquarian book seller, his personal interest in the history of print and Canadian politics, and his personal achievements as an author. The wide variety of subject files found in this collection are almost entirely North American based and span from 1733-2004. These records reflect Mappin’s particular focus on Canadian authors and Canadiana in general.

The fonds consists of manuscripts and drafts of literary compositions and other working documents, as well as professional and personal correspondence.

The fonds contains photographs, drawings, textual records, and other material used by France Gagnon Pratte as the basis for her 1987 book, "Country Houses for Montrealers, 1892 - 1924: The Architecture of E. and W.S. Maxwell". There are also records related to a book project on the architecture associated with the Canadian Pacific Railway Line.

The administrative records of the MCSA contain annual reports, 1921-1968; minutes of annual meetings, 1956-1971; minutes and correspondence of the Board of Governors and its Executive Committee, 1953-1972; files on budgets and staffing, 1962-1973; and documents on the merger with the Conseil de Développement Social. The operations of standing committees (Committee on Committees, Admissions and Standards, Nominating, etc) are documented by broken series of minutes from 1937 to 1971. Far more extensive are the papers of special committees researching social problems such as school leaving, 1934; single parents, 1949; housing and urban renewal, 1967-1971; dental services for children, 1950-1961; and low-cost medication, 1970-1971. These files include case work studies, correspondence, minutes and reports. The question of day care is particularly well covered, both through committee materials and through the files of Barbara Heppner, MCSA Day Care Coordinator, 1969-70. Correspondence files contain letters and reports from member agencies, university schools of social work, co-ordinating bodies such as the Canadian Welfare Council and the Conseil de Bien-Etre du Québec, various citizen's groups, and government bodies. A large percentage of this material consists of information files, containing reports of, and studies by, American and Canadian social agencies, conference and workshop proceedings, and materials on social legislation.

These papers comprise office files for the Parks and Playgrounds Association from 1902 to 1972, and for the Community Garden League from 1933 to 1959. The records of the Parks and Playgrounds Association include administrative and financial records, scrapbooks, photographs, public relations material and information files. Administrative records consist of general and committee minutes, 1902-1972, annual reports, 1902-1964, personnel files, 1937-1947, files of correspondence and memoranda on individual sites as well as themes, e.g. water pollution, 1906-1972; and various surveys and studies, 1912-1967. Financial operations are documented by budgets, 1960-1971, financial statements, 1948-1967; ledger sheets, 1951-1961; and invoices, 1939-1957, 1967. Scrapbooks of newsclippings cover the periods 1902-1904, 1916-1932, 1935-1937, 1939, and 1949-1964; some scrapbooks are thematic, e.g. one on the Mount Royal tram line. Over 1,000 photographs taken ca 1906-ca 1960 show parks, playgrounds, landmarks, street scenes, recreation activities, and the work of the Association. Public relations files, 1937-1952, 1955-1962, contain press releases, briefs, petitions, legislative bills, and correspondence related to lobbying and public awareness. Information files contain largely printed material on parks and recreation in Canada and the United States, 1935-1968. Administrative records of the Community Garden League include minutes of its general committee, 1934-1952; annual reports, 1933-1959; correspondence and information files (1938-1949), and notices, 1938-1953, 1959.

Consists of 2 architectural drawings on paper of Canada Cement Company Building, 606 Cathcart Street, Montreal, Quebec, 1921 (1955 copies). Includes front elevation, details of cols. pilons etc., 2nd and 3rd floors).

Fonds contains five notebook kept by medical student S. J. Bennett while studying at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine. Each notebook is devoted to a subject of study, including one notebook each labelled "Medicine", "Bacteriology" and "Obstetrics" and two notebooks labelled "Pathology." The notes inside are dated between 1907 and 1908. The notes are organized in some cases by instructor and in some cases according to medical conditions.

Fonds contain the personal and professional dealings of the Papineau Family, beginning with Louis-Joseph Papineau in 1828, following through his descendents, to 1943. Dealings include land grants, social events, real estate, interpersonal and business related financial notices, notes on construction projects supervised by or funded by the Papineau family, and charitable pursuits.
The fonds consists of the following series: Legal, Business, and Financial Documents, Ledgers, Account Books, and Notes, Correspondence & Personal Papers, Genealogical Materials. Majority of the files are titled according to creator rather than content and series are contained within chronological boxes (with the exception of container number 9 belonging to the Legal, Business, and Financial Documents series alongside container number 1 and container number 2).
These materials were created for the purpose of keeping track of the interpersonal and business transactions of the Papineau family.