The fonds consists of correspondence, minutes, and papers relating to the formation and operation of the Summerside and Area Historical Society. Included are materials generated by the group in its planning of several historic house tours and the publication of two walking tour brochures in 1985 and 1992. A project using a summer student in 1985 resulted in a sizable collection of photographs being amassed, principally from R. Allan Rankin who had acquired them for his book "Down at the Shore". The photos were arranged into 12 categories and the original order has been maintained with most images falling under the headings of commercial, and individuals and groups. Textual materials were also gathered at that time and later on, mainly on the subjects of fox farming, ship building, Canadian Forces Base Summerside and Holman's Island. There are various handwritten papers on the general history of Summerside and a few specific ones on the history of baseball, the Post Office, the Rotary club, and the Y.M.C.A. There are handwritten notes and photos from the 1994 inventory of heritage homes and the typed bylaw proposal for heritage preservation prepared in 1995. Other items of note include a 1928 booklet "The Island Bred Fox" by B.I. Rayner, the 1909 Holman's catalogue, an original 1878 Panoramic View of Summerside, an undated paper "Record of Ships Built and Registered in PEI 1790-1830" by Preston Ellis, a scrapbook of Barbara McGougan dated 1928-1930, a scrapbook of Lucas R. Allen dated1942-1964, and transcribed newspaper articles about the Summerside Board of Trade from 1910 -1934.

The fonds consists of letters from Alfred Bernard's chaplain and commanding officer written to his father Antoine, three documents pertaining to Alfred's military service and death, and a photo portrait of him in an oval frame.

The fonds consists of 28 items of correspondence, a 1916 paycheque stub, and an 1885 land deed between John W. Forbes and James H. Cole. Twelve of the letters, dating 1915-17, were written to William by his brother Prescott Forbes (b. 1888) who reported on his World War I experience and commented on news received from William about life in Summerside. There are four pieces of correspondence regarding William's employment with Brace McKay Ltd. and two business letters from R. J. McNeill in 1925. Other items include an 1875 letter to Robert Shaw Esq. (of the law firm Longworth & Shaw, Charlottetown?) from Jesse and D.S. Green, as well as letters to and from other parties.

The fonds represents a lifetime of accumulated materials saved by Wanda Wyatt and includes letters, diaries, financial records, documents, clippings, and photographs. It is a reflection of her many interests and her involvement in various community organizations. The fonds has been divided into the following series:
Diaries
Correspondence
Photographs
Financial papers
Education
Travel
Personal papers
IODE materials
PEI Heritage Foundation papers
Community and cultural interests
Household and leisure interests
Printed materials

This fonds consists of early Montague photographs which were collected by volunteers and Garden of the Gulf Museum staff, copied, and made into a book called the Montague Centennial Album for the Centennial Year. This project was mounted and placed on permanent display in the museum in 1989. The album contains over 200 copy prints. A complete listing of contributors can be found is in the front pages of the album.

In 1987, the Garden of the Gulf Museum mounted a major exhibit of ships and shipbuilding in the Southern Kings area of Prince Edward Island. The production of wooden sailing ships was traced from the early 1800's to the collapse of the industry later that century. The exhibit of archival materials and artifacts focussed on the importance of shipbuilding on the area's economic development. This fonds consists of copies of photographs of vessels, maps of communities in the Southern Kings areas, and drawings of industries related to shipbuilding which were collected or created by the staff of the museum. Also included are captions used in the exhibit.

The fonds contains records of the Memories of Montague 1915-1925 project. In March 1986, a project was begun by the Garden of the Gulf Museum, financially assisted by the Department of Employment and Immigration, to mount an exhibit and plan activities around the theme "Memories of Montague, 1915 to 1925". Based in the Montague Town Hall, Joanne Bieler, project leader, assisted by three museum interpreters interviewed senior citizens, collected research notes and photographs, mounted the exhibit and planned demonstrations of crafts and food preparation, lectures, and a games afternoon all based on the information gathered concerning life in the 1920s.

The fonds consists of the administrative records of the project as well as the materials gathered. The former consist of correspondence, monthly reports, information and training materials collected, mailing lists and brochures. The latter include research index cards, taped interviews and notes from other tapes with senior citizens and large format photographs and captions which were used in the exhibit.

This fonds consists of an accounting ledger for A. Matheson and Company of Grandview, Prince Edward Island. It spans the time period 1 July 1899 to 28 October 1902 and includes such information as date, name of customer, brief description of transaction, and the amount.

This fonds consists of a diary/account book of Austin Macdonald spanning the years 1873 to 1916. The first pages of the volume contain an account of stock taken for MacDonald Bros. & Co. in April 1873. The remaining pages are a diary recorded by Austin Macdonald beginning on 3 January 1881 and continuing until 12 April 1916. He describes daily happenings and comments occasionally on the weather.

The fonds consists of three journals kept by Michael McCarron, blacksmith, recording the purchases of goods and services as well as payments made on account by his clients.