Fonds consists of research notes and materials on the history of Nova Scotia and, more specifically, Liverpool and its prominent families, including family trees and hand-drawn annotated maps. Also included are many manuscripts on a variety of topics relating to Tupper's historical research, ranging from John Cabot and the early explorers to lesser-known local events in the history of Nova Scotia. Also present is a small collection of personal diaries and copies of deeds and legal documents from the Tupper family.

Fonds comprises family papers, including an 1821 deed to the Perkins family of Liverpool, an 1824 royal land grant to Enos Collins of Liverpool, an 1845 letter of appointment of Samuel P. Fairbanks, Queen's Council, signed by Queen Victoria, and the last will and testament of Henry Newton.