Archives: Private Papers

Archival fonds and collections

The Archives has more than 1,000 fonds and collections that document the region and Trent University. These are described in the Archives Database. More information on searching and browsing this material is available on our Search the Archives page.

Private papers include all archival collections that are not transferred from Trent University departments and offices. These include the papers of local individuals, families, and organizations, documenting the Trent Valley area and the following counties: Peterboroguh, Victoria (City of Kawartha Lakes), Northumberland, Durham, Hastings, and Prince Edward. Also included are records that document Trent University, including materials donated by faculty, alumni, student organizations, and other Trent-affiliated bodies.

Other materials

Pamphlets

  • Pamphlet collection: The collection of pamphlets in the Trent University Archives are generally Canadian in scope and there is a special emphasis on items that relate to the Peterborough and Trent regions.

  • Camp pamphlet collection: We have a separate collection of pamphlets related to children's camps and camping.

Maps and atlases

While there are hundreds of maps located within the collections of Trent Archives and some of them are unique, copies of many of the maps are readily available elsewhere. Nevertheless, some of our map holdings are rare, including maps of North America and the polar region dating from the mid-sixteenth century to the nineteenth century which comprise part of the Robert Hunter fonds (87-001 and 99-004). Included are a number of maps of Canada and and the fonds especially emphasize historical maps of Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. 
 
We also have an extensive collection of Goad Fire Insurance Plans for the City of Peterborough, surrounding towns and villages, and other municipalities throughout Canada. Our holdings also include a copy of the Sir Sandford Fleming 1846 Plan of the Town of Peterborough and, through the generosity of the Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives, a copy of Romaine's Map of the Town of Peterborough and Village of Ashburnham, 1875.
 
Various maps of Peterborough, the region, and other areas are included in our Miscellaneous map collection  and Miscellaneous folded map collection.There is also an assortment of Canadian and Ontario historical atlases located in the Archives Reading Room.
 
Browse other maps and atlases in our database.

Vertical research files

  • papers and reports prepared by students in the Haliburton-centered bioregionalism course;
  • research papers of a more general nature by faculty and students, particularly students in applied history classes such as HIST 475;
  • three boxes of vertical files relating to National and Provincial Parks created by Professors Douglas Pimlott and Paul Aird;
  • an extensive collection of books which relate to the organized youth camping movement which may be consulted in the reading room;
  • records and reports relating to the Trent University Nature Areas;
  • Professor John Wadland vertical research files on many topics; files compiled from the early 1970s to early 1990s

See also: