Fonds comprises twenty-four watercolours by Agnes Macdonald, Baroness of Earnscliffe (1836-1920), the second wife of Sir John A. Macdonald. The works depict, primarily, rustic scenes in and around the Macdonald's vacation home at Rivière du Loup where Susan Agnes would often spend the summer months with their ailing daughter Mary Theodora Macdonald. Letters from Sir John A. Macdonald to his sister Louisa frequently mention the salutary effect of their visits to Rivière du Loup. Several of the watercolours depict views of the river from their boathouse as well as beach scenes and generic forest vales. A single work features a young woman seated before a blazing fireplace. Also included are a few Ottawa views, notably 'Lovers' Walk', below the Parliament buildings.
Portraits of members of the Macdonald family, including Sir John A., Hugh John and Lady Macdonald; portraits of politicians active during Sir John A. Macdonald's career; view of the artisan's dormitory at the Port Royal Habitation, Annapolis Royal, N.S., ca. 1910. Three portraits of Sir John A. Macdonald, Montreal, Que. Photo by Notman & Son; a portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald, Ottawa, Ont., November 1883, by William James Topley; a portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald, Ottawa, Ont., ca. 1885-1889, by Photo by Pittaway & Jarvis, Ottawa, Ont.; portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald, Napanee, Ont., ca. 1880, by F. S. Richardson, Napanee, Ont.; portrait of John A. Macdonald by unidentified photographer. Portraits of Sir Hugh Macdonald and family. Photos by Notman & Son and by Campbell's, Winnipeg, Man., and another three by unidentified photographers. Portrait of Baroness Macdonald of Earnscliffe. Photo by Helen McCaul and Elizabeth Dickson, Westminster, South Wales. Portrait of Sir George Etienne Cartier, Montreal, Que. Photo by Notman & Son. Portrait of Charles Tupper. Photo by J. Horsburg & Son, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Also, an image of the Postmasters-General of Canada from 1851 to 1929, composite photo by Photographic Stores Ltd., Ottawa, Ont. and a view of the Artisans' dormitory at the Port Royal Habitation, Annapolis Royal, N.S.
Additionally, there is a portrait album containing carte-de-visites of which four are tintypes, belonging to Sir John A. Macdonald's wife, Lady Susan Agnes Macdonald. Portraits include family (Sir John A., Lady Agnes, Louisa Macdonald, Margaret Williamson, Hugh John Macdonald), friends: C.R.W. Riggar, Wm. Armstrong, and other European and American personalities: Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Albert, Queen Vitoria "Tom Thumb" and wife. Photographers include: E.J. Palmer, Toronto; Notman, Montreal; Sheldon Photo, Kingston; Sheldon and Davis, Kingston; D.C. Butchart, Toronto; Noverre & Smith, Toronto; Ewing, Toronto; F. Mulnier, Paris, France; Notman and Fraser, Toronto; W.A. Cooper, Toronto; C.W. Freeman, Mass. USA; J.H. Davis, Collingwood; F.R. Window, London, England; Henderson, Kingston; Ellisson & Co., Quebec; J. Penrose, Toronto; Sheldon, Davis & Dean, Kingston; British American Picture Gallery (J.S. Lay), etc.
