The Bush Family collection consists of records and objects gathered by various family members on specific holidays or during special occasions. George and Pearl Bush contributed memorabilia related to their family’s settlement in Vancouver, their vacations in Europe and the United States, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, the city of Vancouver, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and the country of Canada. Some records and objects commemorating the Dominion of Canada and the Canadian Pacific Railway Company feature racist depictions of Indigenous peoples. Items originating with George and Pearl date from the early to mid-twentieth century.

Patrick Bush contributed memorabilia related to his studies at the University of British Columbia, particularly his graduation and his membership in the Sigma Epsilon chapter of the Zeta Psi fraternity. Records originating with Patrick Bush date from the mid to late 1950s.

Records are arranged by subject in files. For example, all memorabilia related to the Canadian Pacific Railway Company is aggregated, as are records of Patrick Bush’s university attendance. Documentary forms include invitations and programs to UBC fraternity events; UBC fraternity decals; UBC convocation programs; copies of Patrick Bush’s university transcripts; instructions for participating in a UBC convocation; various hand-drawn maps of the U.S.S.R., likely prepared by Patrick Bush for a university course; Patrick Bush’s Bachelor of Laws degree; a single issue of UBC Alumni Chronicle (1985); blank and handwritten postcards depicting the United States and Europe; commemorative ephemera celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, including a menu, church service order, and booklet; black and white family photographs; souvenir booklets containing photographs and illustrations of famous scenes in Europe and the United States; tickets for tourist attractions and transit in Europe; information booklets about tourist attractions and sites in Europe; maps for parts of Europe; menus from various cruise ships; Royal Automobile Club route cards; information booklets about Canada, the province of British Columbia, and the city of Vancouver; maps of various parts of British Columbia; a BC Emergency Air Service decal; a poster commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Vancouver (circa 1936); various correspondence addressed to George Bush, including postcards; travel ephemera from Patrick Bush; preliminary lists of electors, including Patrick Bush, as compiled by Elections Canada for the district of Vancouver Centre in 1979; black and white photographs and negatives depicting members of the extended Bush family; Canadian Pacific Railway company employee photographs, voyage programs and menus, sailing listings, promotional tour pamphlets and booklets, steamship passenger lists, log book abstracts, monogrammed envelopes, voyage guest feedback forms, staff bulletins, gazettes (newspapers), and ship deck plans; photocopies of various Vancouver and London, England newspapers featuring articles about members of the Bush family; a decorative leather wall hanging belonging to George Bush; a matchbox; and a coaster.