The fonds consists of photographs handed down through generations in the Dunsmuir family, some of the images are copies made for each of the Dunsmuir family members so there is some duplication across albums. The photo dates range from the late 1800s up to the 1960s. They include images of Hatley Castle, designed by Samuel Maclure, the Japanese Garden, Italian Garden and the Rose Garden and surrounding grounds designed by the Boston landscape architectural firm of Brett and Hall. Buildings on the property include the stables, garage, tennis courts, barns and a Lord and Burnham designed greenhouse. There are also many images of Dunsmuir family members, friends, visitors to Hatley Park and other properties, and trips to other destinations. These people and locations are not always identified.

Additionally, ephemera in this fonds includes an original copy of the Crimson Paradise film premiere program, with autographs from some of the cast, as well as the 1939 Maynard auction catalogue and the visitors book from Dolaura. This book was used first on the family yacht and includes a signature from Kaiser Wilhelm in 1908. In later years, Dola (Dunsmuir) Cavendish (1903-1966), used the book at her home, which was also named Dolaura. A number of celebrity signatures can be found here.