This collection consists of textual records, photographs, sound recordings, publications and artifacts documenting the history and activities of the Ukrainian community in Cape Breton. Within the collection there is a focus on music and dance with over 1 meter of 78 and LP albums of Ukrainian music. Also included is a comprehensive collection of research related to Ukrainian immigration to Cape Breton with records pertaining specifically to the Ukrainian community in Whitney Pier. Personal papers from the Huk family are also included in the collection along with the manuscript and research related to Mr. John Huk's publication Strangers in the Land: The Ukrainian Presence in Cape Breton.

Fonds consists of papers that reflect Elizabeth Beaton's work at the Beaton Institute and personal academic research. The materials included cover a wide variety of topics concerning Cape Breton history, especially ethnicity. Beaton's work contains extensive research on Whitney Pier's West Indian and Ukrainian population.

Item is a photograph showing a group of members of the St. Michaels Benefit Society. It appears to be taken during the first year of its founding. Members not identified.

Item is a postcard of St. Mary’s Polish Church with a portrait of Rev. Camillus Grzybala, in the top-right corner. The text at the top of the photograph reads, “Kościół Narodzenia N. M. P. w Whitney, Pier, N.S.” The text at the bottom of the photograph reads, “Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Polish R. C. Church, Whitney Pier, N.S. Canada.”

Item is a photograph portrait of a Polish wedding with family members, taken in the 1920s.

Item is a photograph of male members of a Polish band.

Item is a photograph of Polish float in Sydney’s 150th anniversary parade, taken in 1935. The float features fifteen girls, with one as a Polish queen and the rest as her attendants. The queen is identified as Jennie Kieć. The bottom row is identified, from left to right, as Mary Wludyka, Minnie Paruch, Louise Kiec, and Sophie Borak. The second row is identified, from left to right, as Mary Gniewek, Julia Gniewek, Annie Ardelli, Francis Zagorski, Sophie Blazy, and Elsie Gniewek. The third row is identified, from left to right, as Helen Kokoska, Mary Durkacz, Mary Kokoska, and Mary Miecznik.

Item is a photograph of four men on wagon. Pictured second from left: Johnny Paruch; others unidentified.

Item is a photograph of Johnny Paruch.

Item is a photograph of three men on a wharf. Pictured left to right: unknown, Johnny Paruch, and unknown.

Item is a photograph of Johnny Paruch's sisters taken in a portrait studio. Pictured left to right: Josephine Paruch and Mary Paruch

Item is a photograph of three men in Air Force training. Pictured left to right: Johnny Paruch; others unidentified.

Item is an image of John Paruch in uniform with friends during military training.

Item is a photographic portrait of guests and Santa Claus at the Syrian Hall Christmas Party.

Item is a photograph of three enlisted men with a woman. Pictured on the right: Johnny Paruch; others unidentified.

Item is a photograph of First Overseas Band performing on stage.

Item is a photograph of Stella Paruch in her parents' backyard on Webster Street.

Item is a photograph of a returned Vets banquet at the Polish Hall. Seated: Alonso Jockmack, unidentified, Peter Durkacz, Frances Durkacz, Casmir Durkacz, unidentified, unidentified. Standing: Mary Gura, unidentified, Mary Durkacz, unidentified, unidentified, Mrs. Miecznik, Julia Jockmack, Helen Blazey.

Item is a photograph of a returned Vets banquet at the Polish Hall. L to R: Stella Paruch, Mary Burke Paruch, Mickey Paruch, unidentified, Mrs. Daca. Back from L to R: Unidentified, Charlie Malinowski, Father O'Connell, Mary Durkacz (standing), unidentified, unidentified, unidentified, unidentified, Stanley Mayich.

Item is a photograph of the Paruch and Mroz family in a yard on Webster Street. Pictured left to right: Josef Mroz, Catherine Mroz, John J. Paruch., Teddy Mroz, and Stella Paruch.

Item is a photograph of Kenny Paruch by road on Bay Street.

Item is a photograph of Nellie Tinski and Stella Paruch at a wedding shower at Mary Wojcek's home on Bryan Street.

Item is a photograph of Ted Mroz and John J. Paruch in the backyard of the Paruch home on Bay Street.

Item is a photograph of Eddie Melski and John J. Paruch. in front of a home on Bay Street. (Stella Paruch pictured in window)

Item is a photograph of Richard Paruch in the backyard of the Paruch home on Bay Street.

Item is a photograph of children with man in front of camels and wagon. Pictured second from the right: John J. Paruch; others unidentified.

Item is a photograph of two Polish couples, taken in the 1950s. Couple on the left: Tony Reppa and Sonya Wroblewski.

Item is a photograph of members of the Mroz and Paruch family in front of a home on Webster Street. Pictured from left to right: Joseph Mroz, Caroline Mroz, Catherine Mroz (nee Juscur), and Richard Paruch.

Item is a photograph of Paruch and Redmond families at a bungalow. Pictured left to right: Stella Paruch, Richard Paruch, Annie Tynski Redmond, Brian Redmond, and John J. Paruch.

Item is a photograph of the Redmond family and Paruch family at a summer cottage. Pictured left to right: Richard Paruch, Johnny Paruch, Noreen Redmond, Annie Tynski Redmond, Jimmie Redmond, and John J. Paruch.

Item is a photograph of three children in front of a garage on Bay Street. Pictured left to right: Kenny Paruch, Colette Starzomski, and Rosalie Starzomski.

Item is a photograph of Richard Paruch in the backyard of the Paruch home on Bay Street.

Item is a photograph of Polish dancers in costume. The dancers are Holy Redeemer High School students, taken in 1957 at CJCB studios, Sydney.

First row: Marilyn Baryluk Gillis, Frances Kokoska, (Unknown First Name) Tynski or Mary Petruskavitch
Second row: Julianne Wojick, Frances Tynski, Annie Yelovich or Josephine Rebutski, Audrey Wludyka
Third row: Margie Reppa Johnson, JoAnne MacDonald Kingsbury, Frania Rose Ryba McKay, Dorothy Granich, Patricia Malinowski

Item is a photograph of Alan Paruch in front of home on Webster Street.