The collection consists of materials acquired by Special Collections and the University Archives and maintained for purposes of historical research. It includes reports, correspondence, committee minutes, course materials, architectural and other drawings, newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, posters, brochures, and other published materials. The materials are arranged alphabetically by subject or name (e.g. organisations, University departments, events, buildings/places, and individuals).

The fonds consists of a curriculum vitae, incoming and outgoing correspondence, lecture notes, course syllabi, speeches and papers, book reviews, lists of Howes publications, surveys, application forms for grants and academic leaves, research notes, committee minutes, photographs and architectural drawings. The fonds consists of 10 series: Personal Records, Correspondence, Course Materials, Conferences and Seminars, Asian Studies Department, Book Reviews, Professional Papers, Research Materials, Subject Files and Photographs. The records were organized according to either Howes original filing system or to its overall contents.

The fonds consists of material relating to the foundation and early development of the Department of Fine Arts and other university-related committees and activities in which Binning participated, including the Fine Arts Committee, the Festival of Contemporary Arts, and the development of Nitobe Gardens. It consists of the following series: Biographical Material (1949-1976); Correspondence (1947-1972); Lectures, Articles and "Outside Work" (1948-1968); Committees (1947-1966); Fine Arts Program (1954-1964); Festival of the Contemporary Arts (1961-1971); Subject Files (1946-1958); and Teaching Materials (1949-1971).