Fonds consists of papers, articles, and manuscripts of books written by Robert Bowley. Included is research material, photographs, slides, and negatives relating to the postal history of Smith Township, Peterborough, and the surrounding area. Included also are letters dated 1823-1878 of the Baptie family who were situated in Ida, Ontario, and extensive research material related to Captain Charles Rubidge, Sir Sandford Fleming, the Pengelley/Roche families, S.J. Carver, and local historic sites. This fonds is a tremendous resource for information related to Peterborough and area in general.

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.

Collection consists of an audio cassette tape and transcript of an interview with William G. Towns of Douro, Ontario, conducted by Professor Alan Brunger on 27 October 1981. Also included is an audio cassette tape of an interview with William Telford of Smith Township, Ontario, on local recreation history, conducted by Elaine Boothman for Professor John Marsh's geography 334 course in October 1984.