The first accrual consists of two series: casework files and daily journals.
The second accrual (23-1996) consists of files from Allen's office in Queen's Park, covering the period 1982-1995. By and large this accrual consists of reports, briefs, news releases, press clippings, photocopies of internal memos, communiques, and printed matter. The original material consists of daily journals, correspondence to and from Allen to constituents and colleagues in the New Democratic Party, correspondence to and from federal cabinet ministers, holograph or typescript versions of speeches and notes. Frequently, incoming and outgoing correspondence is one of multiple copies. Original order has been maintained as much as possible in the arrangement of this accrual. The titles that appear on the files are the original titles. The series and subseries are organized in an attempt to reflect the career of Richard Allen: Series 1: in opposition 1982-1990; Subseries: Hamilton; education; Francophone affairs; Community and Social Services & Office of the Disabled; personal and administrative. Series 2: minister and member of government, 1990-1995. Subseries: Meech Lake and post-Meech Lake; Minister of Colleges & Universities; Minister Responsible for the Ontario Training & Adjustment Board; Minister of International Trade; Minister of Housing; Minister's administrative files. Series 3: sound recordings and videocassette, 1989-1995. It should be noted that a chronological arrangement within the sub-series has been attempted, in order to trace the prolific political endeavours of Allen. Box numbering in this accrual is sequential with the previous accrual.
The third accrual (24-2000) consists of administrative files reflecting Allen's political activities sukch as council minutes, reports, election results, press releases and promotional materials. The accrual also contains files relating to GO-ALRT and the Canadian Porcelain Project.
The fourth accrual (2009-02, 2011-006) consists of material related to Bill 30: An Act to amend the Education Act (Ont.) (1986).
The fifth accrual (2019-053) consists of eight series: personal correspondence, education, academics, research, publications, political career, other political activity, and audio-visual material.