Collection consists of a large amount of information on Port Hope, the former Township of Hope (Hope Township), and surrounding area. Some of the subjects covered are family histories, churches, hydro power, organizations, clubs and societies, floods, Port Hope harbour, historical information on the town and area, houses, public buildings, industry and small businesses, railways, viaducts and bridges along with original newspapers reflecting on the history of Port Hope as well as information on municipal matters and various government reports. The historical information covers a period from the mid-19th century to 2000. The fonds also consists of a large number of photographs. It also consists of a number of newspaper editions including special editions.
It has been arranged into twelve (12) series: (1) Family Histories; (2) Churches; (3) Hydro Power (Eldorado; Port Hope Hydro); (4) Organizations / Clubs / Societies; (5) Floods and Flood Control (Port Hope Floods; Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority; Corbett's Pond and Dam; Port Hope Harbour); (6) Historical Information on Port Hope and Hope Township (General Historical Information on Port Hope; Historical Information on Port Hope Houses; Historical Information on Port Hope Public Buildings); (7) Railways / Viaducts / Bridges; (8) Industry and Small Businesses; (9) Municipal Matters in Port Hope / Government Reports; (10) Books, Posters, Maps and Glass Negatives; (11) Newspapers; (12) Photographs. (*Series' are adapted from various accession numbers in the fonds)