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]"

Postcard from Mabel Cameron Alguire to her grandfather Dr. D.O. Alguire, Cornwall, Ontario. The postcard is watercolour picture of a seashore, with boat, lighthouse, and rocks constructed from cut-up coloured postal stamps.

Diary kept by Kenneth Sims from May 19, 1924 to the end of August of that year chronicling his activities while travelling with and without his parents and the Canadian lawn bowlers who were competing in Great Britain.

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."

Files created and maintained by Harvey J. Sims in the course of daily household business relating to household expenses, personal expenses, and expenses incurred in planning and maintaining his property at Chicopee. These files were also used by Harvey for his personal interests and activities, such as clubs, memberships, investments, and circular letters. They contain correspondence, invoices, receipts, ephemera, and hand-written notes. Many invoices from nurseries or seed suppliers present here relate to those in series 6.

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]."

One section of a booster publication issued in commemoration of the Old Boys Reunion, held August 1-8, 1925 , p. 33-64

One pamphlet containing the text of Mackenzie King's address at the luncheon held in his honour by the Canadian, Rotary, and Kiwanis Clubs, "printed for distribution among members."

One pamphlet containing menu, list of toasts, and list of officers of the Canadian, Rotary, and Kiwanis Clubs' Officers. Cover includes a portrait of Mackenzie King and gives the location of the luncheon as Kitchener Auditorium, Tuesday, August 4, 1925.

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 Florence Sims, dated August 10, 1925, containing effusive thanks for her hospitality during the Old Boys' Reunion in Kitchener, many memories of the past, and reminiscences of all he saw and did while in the area.

Letter from William Davidson dated Toronto, December 23, 1925 to his sister Elizabeth Roos, sending Christmas wishes and fond memories (includes stamped envelope)

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."

Records relating to the Harvey J. Sims' development of Chicopee, a 45-acre estate near Kitchener, Ont., where he built a home designed by Forsey Page and Steele, Architects, and designed and landscaped the grounds with the help of Carl Borgstrom of Carl Borgstrom and H.M.S. Carver, Landscape Architects. He was instrumental in the reforestation of the contiguous properties in Chicopee Hills, and in only a few years planted on his property more than 700 varieties of trees and shrubs.
Includes correspondence to and from architects, landscape planners, nurseries, and government agencies concerning the development of Harvey's house and grounds, also the reforestation of the surrounding area, dated 1927 to 1941. The correspondence files described in this series are together as found. Harvey's Personal Business Files in Series 8 contain a great deal of supplementary material in the way of correspondence, invoices, lists, time sheets, etc., with seed houses, nurseries, companies, and individuals supplying material and furnishings for the home and grounds, from water heaters and wiring to billiard table lights.
Harvey was particularly interested in collecting as many native species of trees and shrubs as would grow in this climate and his collecting activities are documented by correspondence with arboreta, university horticulture departments, government nurseries, and government officials and employees who were at that time developing botanical garden plans in Hamilton and Niagara.

Records relating to Harvey J. Sims' development of a library of books at his Chicopee home, in which he was aided by Adam Strohm, Librarian at the Detroit Public Library and Charles R. Sanderson, Chief Librarian of the Toronto Public Library. Harvey turned his planned billiard room into a library instead and set about filling it with books. Although this series contains only two files, it represents a significant activity in Harvey's life.

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 to and from Harvey J. Sims and friends, acquaintances, and family connections written between 1927 and 1945.

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.

Typescript by Florence K. Sims with note on last page: "Read at the annual meeting of the Waterloo County Historical Society, Oct.1928."

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.

Letter from Mary Elizabeth dated 48 Austin Terrace, Toronto, January 26, 1928, thanking her Aunt Florence for birthday gifts (includes stamped envelope).

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]"

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Florence Sims dated January 31, 1928, expressing sympathy for the death of Florence's mother Elizabeth Roos and mentioning close family ties: "I cannot express too sincerely the deep sympathy I feel for you, Maggie, Ethel and Irvine in your overwhelming bereavement. You know how closely our family and yours have been associated for many years. None of your many friends will feel more deeply for you all than Jennie and myself."
Salutation: "Dear Florence"; Signature: "W.L. Mackenzie King."

Hartford, Conn.: concerning Rella's investments.

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.

Two images of a woman seated in a chair, possibly at Chicopee; two images of the grounds at Chicopee.

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.

Letters accepting or declining the invitation to the marriage of Mabel Alguire Cameron and James Kenneth Sims, to be held in Cornwall, Ont.

Letters accepting or declining the invitation to the marriage of Mabel Alguire Cameron and James Kenneth Sims, to be held in Cornwall, Ont.

Letter from Mackenzie King dated June 6, 1930 to the aunts of Mabel Cameron Alguire, regretting that he is unable to attend her wedding to James Kenneth Davidson Sims on June 28, 1930 in Cornwall, Ontario.

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].