The fonds consists of textual records (including correspondence, reports, minutes and course materials), published materials, and photographs documenting the life and career of Alden Barss. The records relate to the teaching of horticulture; the development of the Department of Horticulture, the Faculty of Agriculture, and the University; Barss' involvement with the Anglican Theological College and the Anglican Church; his professional career; and his personal life. Some records were collected and arranged by Barss in the course of writing a history of the Department of Horticulture.

The fonds consists of minutes, reports, correspondence and published material generated by various organizations with which Conway has been associated. Records represented in the papers include Student Christian Movement (1956-2013), World University Service of Canada (1957-2009), United Nations Association (1959-1990), Canadian Council for International Cooperation (1967-1978), Canadian University Service Overseas (1961- 1991), Vancouver Refugee Council (1985-1989), Canadian Institute of International Affairs (1971-78, 1987-2000), Tibetan Refugee Aid Society (1985-1989), and Canadian Cross Roads International (1966-1990), among others. Other administrative records include material from the Faculty of Arts (1968-1991) and the Department of History (1958-2009). The papers include documents from the William G. Murrin Fund Committee (1979-1993), allocating funding to religious organizations at UBC. John Conway's professional correspondence (1963-2016) is also included.