Letter to Harvey J. Sims dated August 4, 1930 from John R. Connon of Elora, enclosing advertisements for what he describes as "relating to your father's unfortunate venture in the Salem Woollen Mill." Includes an original manuscript copy of an advertisement for the Sims Bros. Salem Woollen Works, and the advertisement as published in the Elora Observer, no. 39 Friday April 17, 1868.

Wide range of ephemera retained by Harvey J. Sims between 1886 and 1912. Includes invitations to "at homes" and organized social events, dance cards, dinner menu, also a copy of the The Second Annual Meeting of the Ontario Associated Boards of Trade, Toronto, Feb. 22-23, 1912.
Some ephemera is associated with local clubs, most of which Harvey was a member: Berlin H.S. Musical and Literary Society, The Beavers' Club, Grand River Lodge, Bachelors of Berlin and Waterloo, The Berlin Club and Young Men of the Ark.
Includes an 1896 curling scorecard with heavily illustrated covers, advertising the Dominion Brewery, Toronto, and Harvey J.'s Trinity University convocation program, June 27, 1896.

Two letters from Harvey J. Sims to his parents Peter H. and Jemima Sims.

Thirteen letters from Peter H. Sims to Harvey J. Sims written before 1900.

Membership cards signed by Harvey J. Sims for the Rangers Football Club dated 1890 and 1899, listing officers and executive, club grounds and colours. In 1890, Harvey J. Sims is listed as on the Committee of Management; in 1899, he is on the executive committee. The 1899 card includes the W.F.A (Western Football Association) schedule for the spring season. These cards are in addition to a copy of the Western Football Association Annual for 1900, edited by D. Forsyth, Secretary Western Football Association and printed in Berlin. This volume contains the constitution and rules, hints for referees and players, as well as detailed lists of champion teams from 1880 to 1899. The pages for 1900, printed in red, appear to have been pasted in at the front and end of the 1899.

Eleven letters to and from Harvey J. Sims and Rella May Stewart and family.

Five letters from Jemima Sims in Toronto to her son Harvey J. Sims.

Long poem of 22 stanzas by Harvey J. Sims on the occasion of travelling to the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1900 with "Mrs. Roos, 3 girls."

Eight letters from Peter H. Sims to Harvey J. Sims written between 1902 and 1910.

Handwritten telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey James Sims in Berlin, Ont. on October 29, 1902, sending congratulations on their wedding day.
Salutation: none; Signature: W.L. Mackenzie King.

Three letters from friends of Harvey J. Sims.

Photographic postcard from Harvey J. Sims postmarked Berlin, Ont., July 25 1906: "Old Opera House, London, Canada". Handwritten message: "We won our first two games. Am just going out with Buck & Harry Pope – Sam, Irvin Woelfle. Tell Mrs Woelfle they are all well at home. Love to all including Kenneth, Harvey."

Typewritten letter marked (confidential) from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated September 11, 1907, accompanied by a carbon copy of a letter from John A. Lang to A.B. Aylesworth; together with a letter from Peter H. Sims to Harvey dated October 1, 1907 commenting on Mackenzie King's proposals.

Clippings about William Lyon Mackenzie King, some dated but most not.

Correspondence from P.H. and Jemima Sims to their son Harvey J. Sims on a trip to England and Scotland from June to September 1912.

Letter from Peter H. Sims to his son Harvey J. Sims on March 3, 1812 from Mayagues [i.e., Mayagüez] (Puerto Rico). Peter H. Sims writes about his trip to Puerto Rico to assess risks on behalf of his company: he summarizes and comments on Puerto Rico's climate, landscape, history, people, American interest, Catholic Church, Spanish rule, agriculture, sugar cane production: "I thought I had retired from active work but I am at is as hard as ever and I enjoy it. I do not know if the trip will do the Co. any good. The conditions are all new to me."

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated January 2, 1923, thanking him for a gift for Laurier House and discussing the delay in reconstruction at Laurier House and the reconvening of Parliament on January 31, 1923. King also speaks of his "deeply valued friendship" with Harvey Sims.
Salutation: "My dear Peter"; Signature: "Ever your true friend, Billy K."

My dear Peter,
Your wonderful gift has kept me more or less at bay for the past ten days. I have hardly known how to acknowledge it, not having words [wherewith?] to express my appreciation of your great generosity. I am still at a loss and shall have to ask you to accept the will for the deed. It will be a great happiness to do as you suggest, to purchase for Laurier House something of which I may be in need to put the finishing touch required and to be a reminder through the years of your kindness. The bookshelves and library equipment which has made my present house the joy it has been in that respect, and which were the fruit of your previous gift, I am moving, in fact, out to Kingsmere, so summer and winter alike I shall be surrounded by evidences of your benevolence. I had expected to be in Laurier House by this time, but it has taken longer than anticipated to complete the work of reconstruction. It is going to be worth all the delay, however, and I shall look forward with delight to having you as a [first?] guest whenever you can come. I shall be able now to look after Florence's comfort as well, so do bring her with you when you are this way on some future occasion. Your generous gift enabled me to do a little better by some of my friends at this Xmas season than I would otherwise have felt I could. It came at a moment I was debating what I should send to May and the two young lads at Denver, and permitted me to make without thought of sacrifice what I was anxious to send. I must thank you therefore in more than a two fold sense for your goodness as well as your generosity.
I am very very busy as you can well imagine. Parliament re-assembling on January 31 and three of the ministers still overseas and two or more hors de combat. I may put your gift into riding or boxing lessons. A health investment is the best possible for my job.
I hope you all had a happy Xmas and I think, dear Peter, that this New Year will be the best you have ever known. My grateful thanks for your deeply valued friendship goes with my best of wishes to you and to all near and dear to you.
Ever your true friend,
Billy K.

Agreement (carbon) between Harvey J. Sims and his sister Rella May Stewart dated January 2, 1923, concerning possession and ownership of silver and gold items from their parents' estate.

Monogrammed card from Laurier House, Ottawa sent as a Christmas card from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims, undated, inscribed inside in Mackenzie King's handwriting: "With the season's Greetings, W.L. Mackenzie King." Printed inside is King's favourite portrait of Isabel King (painted by J.W.L. Forster in 1905).

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated December 23, 1923, thanking him for his generous birthday gift, thanking him for "devout friendship … begotten of a love that even David might have envied." He presses Harvey to visit and to bring Florence; also Madge and Minnie Gibson. He closes by saying that he has had a wonderful year, and that "of the Conferences, I have a lot to tell you. So come soon."

Scrapbook covering activities of the Canadian Lawn Bowling Association in general and H.J. Sims in particular from 1924 to 1941. Harvey J. Sims was on the Dominion Lawn Bowling Association Canadian team chosen to compete in Great Britain in 1924, and afterward continued to actively participate in the sport, winning many trophies. The scrapbook includes clippings, many with team photographs and portraits, drawings, schedules, itineraries relating to Harvey's involvement in lawn bowling events locally, in Ontario, the United States, and Great Britain.

Ephemera including lists of names, invitations, menus, itineraries relating to a special meeting of the British, Canadian, and American Bar Associations held in London, England, July 1924.

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated January 20, 1924 regarding arrangements for a visit to Ottawa by Harvey and his wife Florence.
Salutation: "My dear Peter"; Signature: "Yours ever sincerely, Billy."

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated January 25, 1924, regarding arrangements for a forthcoming visit to Ottawa by Harvey and his wife Florence.
Salutation: "My dear Peter" [typewritten]; Signature: "Believe me, as always, dear Peter, very sincerely yours. [Typewritten] Billy [handwritten]"

Printed Christmas card from William Lyon Mackenzie King presumably received by Harvey J. Sims, monogrammed on the front, with an engraved picture of Laurier House and greetings for 1924-1925 inside: "With the Season's Greetings, W.L. Mackenzie King."

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated May 23, 1925, replying to an invitation to attend a luncheon in his honour in Kitchener and to visit Harvey.
Salutation: "My dear Peter" [typewritten]; Signature: "Believe me, Yours very sincerely [typewritten], W.L. Mackenzie King [handwritten]."

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated August 7, 1925, thanking him and his wife Florence for the memorable visit: "I can recall no happier home town visit since the days of Woodside."
Salutation: none; Signature: "Billy."

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated December 30, 1926, thanking him for a birthday gift and letter. King says he is fatigued and lists the many political activities of the past year.
Salutation: "My dear Peter"; Signature: "With true affection, Believe me as always devotedly your friend, Billy."

Correspondence from Harvey Sims' old friend Fred C. Burden, also a friend of Adam Strohm, from whom there are several letters mixed in this file. Places written from range from Detroit, Michigan, where Fred lived for some time, to California.

Correspondence from and to Harvey J. Sims and the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, Forestry Branch concerning applications for forest trees from Government nurseries. Includes letters between Harvey and F.S. Newman, Head Forester at the St. Williams Government Nursery, lists of trees and shrubs, and application forms for government nursery stock. Also includes correspondence between Harvey and A.H. Richardson, also a clipping and letter describing the 1928 tree planting done at Chicopee by the Boy Scouts and Rotarians.

Correspondence from and to Harvey J. Sims, Adam Strohm, Librarian at the Detroit Public Library, and Charles R, Sanderson, Chief Librarian of the Toronto Public Library, between 1927 and 1941, the latter two often enclosing each other's letters. Adam Strohm sometimes encloses letters from Fred Burden, a mutual friend of his and Harvey's. Harvey had initially approached Adam Strohm for advice about books for his library; this correspondence included Sanderson after 1927. As well as corresponding about books these three men developed a friendship demonstrated in their letters, writing about their visits, their travels, and their lives.

Telegram with pictorial header from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated December 31, 1927, sending best wishes for the New Year.
Salutation: none; Signature: "Billie."

Includes invitation to the Cook family reunion, correspondence about peafowl and other wild stock available, and a postcard showing Hialeah Park Race Track, Florida.

Correspondents include the Canadian Legion, Canadian Kennel Club, A. Chappell concerning Chicopee Heights, Ernest and Alice Chadwick, Hector Charlesworth, Chicopee Tennis Club, Chicopee Ski Club, and E.H. Coleman.

Includes correspondence to and from Harvey J. Sims concerning placing his son at a law firm, also a letter from Florence M. Austin, Nov. 30, 1938, Dousman, Wis., on the genealogy of the Cook family and their mutual relationship.

Correspondents include C.E. Fischer offering an income plan, Forsey Page enclosing a letter from Bruce C. Matson, who photographed the Sims property in 1933, W. Sherwood Fox, and T.H. Noble.

Letters (approximately 16) between members of the Arthur Forbes Nicol and Harvey J. Sims families from 1928 to 1941. Harvey J. Sim's wife Florence Katherine Roos and Arthur F. Nicol's wife Florence Helen Kempt were first cousins: their mothers were sisters Elizabeth and Margaret Davidson. Letters concern mutual interests, politics and family.

Correspondents include William Valores Uttley, January 7, 1932, asking Harvey J. Sims to pass the enclosed biographical sketches to Florence to proofread and add information. The sketches are of Harvey, William Roos, and Mrs. William Roos (nee Davidson). The Waterloo Grand River Parks Co. sends two sustaining membership cards for "Cressman's Woods"; Mrs. Wilson from Ingleside Villa, N.B. is a lawn bowling connection and Grainger Whitney sends a news clipping, a note, and a photograph of an unidentified house, possibly in Chicago.

Correspondents include Lieut. L.K. Harrison (Director of Music, Royal Canadian Regiment), Sir A. Wilson Hungerford, Belfast (fellow bowler), Elizabeth M. Harper (Fellow of the Royal Empire Society and Men of the Trees), Homer Heard (to and from concerning work done at Chicopee), Allison Heasley, and "Harry."

Includes several letters from Violet Patton, a lawn bowling connection from Belfast, who includes clippings and photographs of her children; a letter from James K. Pickett in 1930 concerning a Metropolitan Life policy; one from C.D. Pequegnat calling for a meeting on Dec. 5, 1933 of the shareholders of the Waterloo County Grand River Parks Co. Ltd., to discuss creating Cressman's Woods as a permanent Waterloo County Park. One letter from William Philip of the Grand River Conservation Commission is present but torn into several pieces.

Correspondents include P.H. Roos about Harvey's investments; Newton W. Rowell in 1931 congratulating Harvey on his re-election as a bencher; also George Royle and "Lady Royle" May 23, 1928 and April 25, 1928 about arriving for a visit.

Correspondents include Donald J. MacDonald from London, Ontario, Minnie O'Hara Maines on behalf of the Local Council of Women of Kitchener, and M.P. Johnson, secretary, on behalf Albert Edward Matthews, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, all addressing Harvey as Col. Sims and thanking him for his hospitality. Arthur R. Mortimer, Dept. of National Defence, responds to Harvey's letter of congratulations on his promotion. Violet Martin from Kennebunk Beach, Maine, regrets not being able to meet at Regina as her husband has cancer, and Harvey asks Bruce Matson in 1933 about obtaining prints of the photographs the latter took of Chicopee, some of which were published.

Correspondence relating to Chicopee: recommendation from William Rennie Seed Co., Nov. 1, 1928, that Harvey contact Arthur E.K. Bunnell of Wilson Bunnell & Borgstrom, Landscape Architects for designing his grounds, and Lt. Col. Sandford F. Smith "would be better to consult regarding your house."
Includes two letters from Forsey Page & Steele, December 14 and 29, regarding drawing up plans for the house, and one submission from Bell Telephone for supplying telephone service.

One letter from William Daum Euler, Minister of National Revenue, Canada, dated Jan. 12, 1928.

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated January 31, 1928, concerning the possibility of Mackenzie King attending the funeral of Florence Sims' mother Elizabeth Roos.
Salutation: "Dear Peter"; Signature: "William L. Mackenzie Kin.[sic]"

Typewritten letter from O.D. Skelton, Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs, Canada, replying to Harvey J. Sims on Mackenzie King's behalf, concerning a letter of introduction.

Typewritten letter from W.H. Measures, private secretary to Mackenzie King, replying to Harvey J. Sims on King's behalf. Mackenzie King will endeavour to arrange a special visit to Kitchener by Lord and Lady Willingdon.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated July 21, 1928 concerning his inability to accept an invitation to visit the Sims, and announcing his decision to "be one of the delegation to represent Canada at the forthcoming Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva in September," detailing travel and speaking engagements in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and a visit to his constituency of Prince Albert. King regards the trip to Geneva as a sacrifice as it "means another summer and autumn lost as far as Kingsmere is concerned." King also says that he has asked his Secretary to "find out from the Department of Marine and Fisheries what may be possible and should be done to secure the trout you are anxious for." In a handwritten P.S. King says "I find from Dept of Marine & Fisheries that the provincial govt has entire charge of fish hatcheries in Ontario. You had better [two words illegible] to Hon Chas McCrea."
Salutation: "My dear Peter" [typewritten]; Signature: "Believe me, as always, dear Peter, Yours very sincerely [typewritten], W.L. Mackenzie King [handwritten]."

Typewritten letter from Norman McLeod Rogers, Secretary to President of the Privy Council, dated August 20, 1928, responding in Mackenzie King's absence to a letter and clipping sent by Harvey J. Sims. Salutation: "Dear Sir"; Signature: "Norman McL. Rogers" [handwritten].

Correspondence to and from Harvey J. Sims (carbons), tenders, agreements, invoices and other material relating to work being planned and carried out at Chicopee, including landscape features, nursery stock, concrete bridge, bubbling tanks, dry stone walls, also to a Workmen's Compensation case. Correspondents include Ball Bros., Dunker Brothers, Herbert Johnston, Civil Engineer, Forsey Page & Steele, architects, Fess Oil Burners of Canada Ltd., Thomas Rennie, Ontario Agricultural College, Carl A. Borgstrom (of Wilson, Bunnell & Borgstrom Ltd., also of Lorne Park Nurseries) landscape architect.

Correspondence from and to Harvey Sims and Arthur Herbert Richardson at the Ontario Department of Lands and Forest concerning reforestation efforts at Chicopee. In 1940, Harvey writes that he has more than 700 varieties of trees and shrubs, including all but 5 of the 82 native forest trees listed by J.H. White in Forest Trees of Ontario. In 1930, he writes that the Boy Scouts and Rotarians propose helping him plant 3500 more trees on Chicopee heights to complete the work started in 1929.

Correspondence relates to Harvey J. Sims' activities as Colonel of the Scots Fusiliers.

Includes one letter from H.M. Snyder (furniture manufacturer) in 1941 about their mutual stays in hospital and state of health; a letter from Harvey to Dan Shantz in 1930 about the need for more snow fencing on the road past Chicopee, and correspondence with Titus Shantz about his dog licences.

Correspondence from F.S. Newman at the Department of Lands and Forests, Forestry Branch in St. Williams, Ontario to Harvey J. Sims regarding Harvey's requests for seedlings, also purchase orders made on his behalf from Herbst Brothers in New York. Includes lists and invoices, as well as a hand-drawn planting plan for evergreens at the south fence line of Chicopee.

Includes one letter dated Sept. 29, 1930 from S.C. Tweed in Waterloo, thanking Harvey for recommending Forsey Page as architect for a new school in Waterloo.
Includes eight letters from Lord Trenchard, Dancers Hill House, Barnet, Hertfordshire written between 1931 and 1937.

Letter from William Harvey Sims dated April 7, [1930?], Toronto to his father Harvey J. Sims, concerning financial matters and his Osgoode Hall graduating banquet the night before.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Florence and Harvey J. Sims dated June 6, 1930, declining an invitation to their son Kenneth's wedding on June 28, 1930, due to the pressures of the "present campaign."
Salutation: "My dear Florence & Peter" [handwritten]; Signature: "As ever, Yours very sincerely & affectionately, Billy" [handwritten].