Correspondence concerning soil samples and pest remedies, as well as handwritten notes by Harvey Sims about chemicals and types of pests. Includes two letters from A.H. Tomlinson, Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture, one of which is accompanied by a list of ornamental flowering shrubs and a list of deciduous trees, and both of which have pencilled checkmarks, presumably made by Harvey.

Correspondence to and from Harvey J. Sims and Carl A. Borgstrom, landscape architect mostly concerning trees and shrubs for Harvey's property.

Letters from Harvey J. Sims to horticulturists at the Department of Agriculture Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, with replies from M.B. Davis, Dominion Horticulturist, T.F. Ritchie, Chief Assistant, and R.W. Oliver, Assistant (ornamental horticulture) as well as to Leonard S. McLaine at the Destructive Pest and Insect Advisory Board. The correspondence relates primarily to Harvey's collection of shrubs and trees, and his pursuit of adding more species to his collection. He mentions that he has collected 76 of the 82 native trees listed in Forest trees of Ontario, also that he has between 500 and 600 different varieties of trees and shrubs. He requests specimens for testing hardiness, also sends an unknown specimen for identification, and requests information on permits necessary to import nursery specimens from the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plains, New York.

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.

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.

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

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.

Menu for the Restaurant Nimb Tivoli, Copenhagen, August 24, 1934. Menu is in French and Norwegian.

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.

Ninety pieces of correspondence, of which 73 are letters to Harvey J. and/or Florence Sims. Another letter is in Series 11, sending regrets for the invitation to the wedding of Kenneth Sims and Mabel Alguire Cameron.
William Lyon Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, was a boyhood friend of Harvey J. Sims, and consistently addresses him as "Peter" in his letters. The letters in this series range from Christmas greetings to political, literary and spiritual topics.
Letters in this series are both handwritten and typewritten. Letters from Mackenzie King to Florence Sims are usually handwritten.

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.

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.

Christmas card from the Scots Fusiliers of Canada with photograph (printed on coated paper) tipped in: "Their Majesties at Kitchener, June 6th, 1939." Left to right: William Lyon Mackenzie King, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, standing on the reception platform at the Kitchener railway station.

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

Hamilton Ohio: postcard with colour illustration of the American flag.

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."

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.

Waterloo: concerning bible class.

Bingen, Germany: postcard of the Burg Rheinstein. It is a Thiele postcard, illustration by Carl Jander

Memorandum of agreement made June 22, 1944 respecting the will and assets of Harvey J. Sims in light of his impending marriage with Gay Estill Robb. This agreement is signed and sealed by all parties and witnessed; the attached will of the same date is signed and witnessed, two other notarized documents also signed and witnessed.

Hartford, Conn.: intention to follow in his footsteps.

Hartford, Conn.: concerning his father's disability insurance.

Hartford, Conn.: family news.

Hartford, Conn.: family news.

Hartford, Conn.

Three letters from friends of Harvey J. Sims.

Kitchener: carbon typescript concerning J. Ross Stewart's disability insurance.

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.

Letter from Nellie Sharpe dated July 27, 1930, Winnipeg, Manitoba to her cousin Harvey J. Sims, conveying the news that their mutual uncle, William Andrew Sims, had died in New Westminster, B.C. on July 21 or 22. She says of him, "he was a harder man than your father [Peter H. Sims] or mine [James C. Sims], not the genial temperament they had."

Waterloo: letter addressed to Harvey in Forest, relaying all the family news, describing their mother's reaction to a newspaper report that Harvey had almost drowned (includes envelope).

Hartford, Conn.: concerning Rella's investments.

Hartford, Conn.: congratulations concerning bencher election results.

Winchester VA.: reporting that she has found the Wissler Farm.

Carbon typescript transcription of a diary by J. Ross Stewart of a trip on the Mauritania to the Carribbean.

On hearing a report that Harvey had been struck by a ball, Jemima advises him strongly to give up football as "beneath the dignity of a practicing [sic] barrister" (includes envelope).

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

Jemima is glad to hear the news that Harvey has decided to leave the hotel and get a room; also advice on emulating his father's path to success, also to learn German (includes envelope).

Family news (includes envelope).

Jemima advises Harvey not to accept a judgeship "with such a small salary" so early in his career. She is lonely "way up here" and it is too cold to run the car.

Jemima's Christmas present from Peter H. Sims is a sedan motor car, also sends Christmas wishes to all.

Aberdeen: he has been to Oban and Insch, "called on old people to find out about my father, mother and relatives but could find no one who could remember that far back., that is 75 years ago" (includes envelope).

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

London, England: Peter H. Sims to Harvey: "We are having a most wretched and depressing time" (includes envelope).

London, England (includes envelope).

London, England (includes envelope).

One leaflet promoting the Royal Opera's 1912 season at Covent Garden

Letter from Peter H. Sims dated Toronto, November 7, 1915 to his grandson Kenneth Sims, congratulating him on passing first in his class (includes envelope).

London, England (includes envelope).

Lugano, Switzerland (includes envelope).

Edinburgh, Scotland (includes envelope).

London, England (includes envelope).

London, England: Postcard depicting the Savoy Hotel.

London, England (includes envelope).

London, England (includes envelope).

London, England.

London, England: describing "Continental trip" (includes envelope).

Steamship Ascania (includes envelope).

Printed Christmas and New Year's greeting (includes envelope).

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.

Describes facial swelling suffered frequently and use of antiphlogistine, also at Harvey's request writes as much as he knows of the life of his father the Rev. James Sims.

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."

Postcard, colour photo showing Cawston Ostrich Farm, South Pasadena.

Postcard, colour photo showing New Bath House, Ocean Park, California, with handwritten note "Had a swim there Monday, PHS."

Response to Harvey concerning wedding invitations: "I do not like however the idea of your practically ignoring your relatives and asking outsiders" (includes envelope and enclosed list of invitees, with additional list by P.H. Sims).

Stern criticism of Harvey's financial situation, debt incurred by spending money on his new home: "You are just in the condition I expected you would be. You started out with too big ideas and now you find you have gone steeper in than you should and loaded yourself with a heavy debt … but you always were an extravagant boy." He continues with advice on getting and staying out of debt and living within his means (includes envelope).

Step by step instructions for preparing Harvey's new house for occupancy, starting with liming the cellar and ending with papering and decorations (includes envelope).

Congratulates Harvey on being elected president of the Berlin Board of Trade: "Enter upon your duties with modesty knowing that there is much to learn and act as one putting on armour and not boasting as one taking it off after victory." He reminds Harvey of his "paramount duty to home and family and that Florence and the baby have the first claim on your time and thoughts."

Toronto: Postcard, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 1899-1900.

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

Toronto: about proposed European trip and possible consequences for Harvey's position at work (includes envelope).

Toronto: advice about Harvey asking for leave to go on trip.

Toronto: trip arrangements (includes envelope).

Waterloo (includes envelope addressed to Forest, Ontario).

Toronto: congratulating Harvey on finally getting his own room and on being appointed as secretary of the Berlin Board of Trade, advice about making the most of the opportunity: "Aim high, do your duty and you will get there. Do not neglect your reading: There is nothing more necessary in a young man, than that he read best current literature of the day and also the biographies of the world's great and good men."

Toronto: advice about saving, not spending (includes envelope).

Toronto: advice on beginning independent life (includes envelope).

St. John NB: "I saw the sea today for the first time" (includes envelope).

New York (includes envelope).

Toronto: nervousness concerning Harvey's arranged yachting trip with "the boys": "You are a daring venturesome boy with not any too much precaution or forethought" (includes envelope and enclosed letter from Mr. Ruby).

Waterloo.

Waterloo, Berlin: "Band and Fireman's Tournament," caution concerning conduct away from home.

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

Essays both typewritten and handwritten by Florence Sims, one dated October 30, 1905, on literary topics, possibly composed for "The Monday Club."

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

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

Constitution and by-laws of The Monday Club, formed for the purpose of "reading and general improvement" whose motto is taken from "The Princess" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: "Knowledge is now no more a fountain sealed, Drink Deep, until the sins of Emptiness, Gossip, spite and slander die"

Identity card issued on June 22, 1918 to Florence K. Sims by the Canada Registration Board, "for the national purposes," to be carried at all times.
Grand River Country Club membership card, 1919.
Trip ephemera: Florence Sims and Mrs. William Roos, London and Paris.

Two letters and a drawing from Forsey Page, Architect, concerning a possible addition to Florence's bedroom:
1935 December 5: Forsey Page to Florence describing a sleeping porch or covered balcony off her bedroom
1936 May 13: Forsey Page is disappointed that she has decided against a sun room.
Includes a drawing in pencil dated January 23, 1934: "Sketch showing new door and porch off bed room #1."

Letter from Bella King (sister of W.L. Mackenzie King) dated July 17, [1904] to her friend Florence Sims, who has just given birth to her first child. After asking about the baby and Florence's health, Bella announces that "the house question" has finally been settled and that they are to move to 4 Grange Road in the middle of September, talks about holidays, and reports on going to "the Dundonald reception" with her Father John King. Signed Bella.

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."

Letter from Bella King dated 4 Grange Road, Toronto, June 28, 1908 to Florence Sims after the birth of William, her second child. She asks about the baby, mentions family, friends, and plans: "Willie is going to take [mother Isabel King] on a trip when he comes back from Quebec." Signed Isabel King.

Telegram from Irvine Kempt in Glasgow but postmarked Oban, July 30, 1923 to Florence Sims, regretting that he will be unable to meet her.

Handwritten information about the Cook family in Pennsylvania: "Information from Mrs. Andrew Markle", transcriber unidentified but probably Florence Sims.

Postcard from Norman Nicholson postmarked Berlin, December 24, 1904 to Florence Sims, with Christmas wishes to the family. Postcard is Raphael Tuck & Sons "Write Away" Postcard Series 288 IV: conductor with baton.

Letter from Bella King dated 4 Grange Road, Toronto, February 14, 1915 to Florence Sims, writing on her mother's behalf [Isabel King]. She thanks Florence for sending her mother "the very pretty little knitted wrap", also that it was good of her "to think of Max and his little family," and reports that Max's health is much better. She also mentions "this awful war" and how women have "worked and are working everywhere." She speaks of her mother's health as well. Signed Bella King.

Certificate of life membership in the Canadian Red Cross Society presented to Mrs. William Roos, dated August 26, 1915.

Letter from Margaret Davidson dated Toronto, November 19, 1886 to her granddaughter Florence Roos, sending the news of family doings in Toronto (includes envelope).

Letter from Margaret Davidson dated Toronto, June 30, 1890 to her granddaughter Florence Roos, sending the news of family doings in Toronto. She says she received and encloses a letter from Mrs. Argo for Florence's mother to read, and that if she is well she will be there on Tuesday (includes envelope).

Two compositions by Florence Roos, with comments by the teacher, dated 1892.