Collection contains over 55,000 glass plate negatives, film negatives, and prints from the Waldren Studios of New Glasgow and Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The majority of these negatives are portraits, nearly all of which are identified and dated. A number of the portraits represent some of the earliest photos of Black Nova Scotians from Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough counties. Many of the remaining photos are local scenes, a few of which were taken in New Glasgow before the fire in 1874 which devastated the town. The collection contains photographs that depict show coal mining, shipbuilding and other local industries in action. Portraits of family groups, sports teams, social clubs and school groups are also well represented.
Fonds consists of Thomas Cantley's materials accumulated and sometimes annotated by Catherine Campbell in the course of her research on Cantley's life, including correspondence regarding his political and professional activities; correspondence with family members; manuscripts and typescripts; speeches; photographs; financial statements; and other textual records. Fonds also contains records originating with Cantley's family, including correspondence between his children Charles L. Cantley and Marian Cantley, and a letter from Donald F. Cantley to E.W. Sutherland.
Item is a photograph of Allister Duncan McDonald, born August 2, 1892 in Sunny Brae, and his wife, Ida Pearl Giffin (1894-1951). The couple had no children, and McDonald died in 1963 in New Glasgow.
File contains photographs of individuals including Lieutenant Donald Fraser Cantley, Charles Lang Cantley, Pearl Fraser, B.L. Neilly, and Harriet Graham.
Item is a photograph of five men seated on a large steel pipe outside a shingled building, six men seated on planks in front, and one man seated centre front on the ground. All are wearing work clothes, including caps of soft hats. Annotated: "top - 2nd from left Charlie Fraser Twin of Mrs. L. G. Ferguson", "4th from left Alex MacGillivray", and: "Matheson Foundry."
Item is a portrait photograph of Warren Jones and an unknown individual. Jones is holding a blocked cap and seated on a love seat and the unknown individual is wearing a hat and seated on the arm, full pose.
Item is a portrait photograph of W. Rennie and Dr. McKay wearing bowler hats and high collars, full pose. One individual is holding an umbrella and the other is wearing an overcoat with a cape.
Item is a portrait photograph of W. A. Henry wearing knee-length pants and hat, standing with one hand in his pocket, full pose. Glass plate negative labelled as "pose #2".
Item is a portrait photograph of W. A. Henry wearing knee-length pants and hat, seated on a stool, full pose. Glass plate negative labelled as "pose #1".
Item is a portrait photograph of one young girl and one young boy seated, full pose. Negative annotated: "Show hands". Envelope suggests this is "Copy of what appears to be a wet plate shot of two children".
Item is a portrait photograph of Tom Fraser, wearing a winger collar and overcoat, and his sister, wearing a hat. Both individuals are standing, 3/4. Glass plate negative labelled as "Pose #1".
Item is a portrait photograph of Tom Fraser, wearing a winged collar and overcoat, and sister. Tom Fraser is seated and his sister is standing beside him, 3/4 pose. Glass plate negative is labelled as "Pose #2".
View of the Vendome Hotel, outside which four cars are parked, one of which is beside a "No Parking" sign! Four more cars and a wagon are parked across the street, with a man seated on the running board of the nearest car. Print copy is included
Item is a photograph of a Spinning Wheel shop in New Glasgow. Plate is inscribed: "New Glasgow - spinning wheel shop with workers on balcony and wagon out front. Print copy is available: PC-2-333-34.
Item is a portrait photograph of Mrs. Lena Myrtle Vail's sons. Back row, left to right: Roydon, Arthur, and Pearly. Front row, left to right: Lionel, Lloyd, Curtis and Allan.
Item is a photograph of the Ross Monument, inscribed: "In memory of Alexander Ross D's son. Died Jan. 17, 1895 Aged 66 y'rs ROSS W. R. McN./"N.G.". The monument across the street from a store in a building which shows the sign: Furnished Rooms Up Stairs"
Item is a photograph of the Mutch Monument. Inscribed: "In Loving Memory of Jane Bovyer wife of James A. Mutch, Died Feb. 17, 1905 Aged 57 Yrs. Blessed are the Dead that Die in the Lord. MUTCH"
Item is a photograph of the MacDonald Monument. Inscribed on the front: "IHS Erected by their family John A. MacDonald born May 18, 1837 died at New Glasgow April 18, 1928 aged 91. years - his wife Margaret born Sept. 28, 1852 died at New Glasgow Feb. 4, 1928 aged 75. yrs. MACDONALD". The side is inscribed: Pte. Donald Vincent MacDonald 716128.26.BAT. Killed in action in France Aug. 28, 1918 aged 21. Yrs. We are the dead short days ago we loved felt dawn saw sunset glow loved and were loved and now we lie in Flanders fields". Part of a building in visible at one edge. Trees and hills are in the background
Item is a photograph of the Livingston monument inscribed: "John D. Livingston Born Aug. 26, 1825, died May 10, 1902 His wife Rachel Taylor Born May - 1835, died Sept. 15, 1882 far off ye are yet ever nigh We have you not, yet we rejoice We prosper circled by your voice We shall not lose you thou' we die LIVINGSTON". The monument is in the sculptor's workshop, with two boxes and two blank stones behind it.
Item is a photograph of the Jewer monument, inscribed: "In affectionate memory of James H. Jewer Major of Salvation Army Born May 13, 1863. Died July 14, 1895. 'He died as a warrior He fell at his post' JEWER"
Item is a photograph of a tall gravestone, probably still in stonemason's yard, outside a shed, inscribed: "HENRY IRWIN DIED SEPT. 26, 1904 AGED 85 YRS. HIS WIFE MARGARET AMELIA DIED SEPT. 22, 1904, aged 72 yrs. IRWIN"
Item is a photograph of the Hamilton monument. Inscribed: "William Hamilton 1780-1863 wife Susan Durning 1789-1836 HAMILTON". The monument is in the sculptors' yard where other stones and equipment can be seen. Across the street is a store with the sign: "Grants Drug Store"
Item is a photograph of a view across the East River Bridge in New Glasgow decorated for the visit of the Marquis of Lorne. The first archway is decorated with greenery, a coat of arms, and the word: "Welcome". Several men wearing tall hats are gathered at it. The second archway, which reads: "Look out for the engine before crossing the tracks" is decorated with a garland; a man with a horse-drawn carriage is standing under it
Item is a photograph of the Douglas Monument on a gravesite. Inscribed: "In loving memory of John C. Douglas Born June 14 1874 Died Dec. 10, 1826 Mourned by many DOUGLAS". Four other monuments can be seen in the background
File contains a photograph of a street scene showing a building with the name: "Dominion House" above the door; a church identified as: "James House" on the envelope; and two unidentified houses in the distance. Negative is available: PC-2-318-50
