London, England: Postcard depicting the Savoy Hotel.

London, England (includes envelope).

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).

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.

Hartford, Conn.: concerning Rella's investments.

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."

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.

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.

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Florence Sims dated "New Year's Eve" 1930, expressing gratitude for the hand-made cushions she had sent him for Christmas, and apologizing for not being able to contact her sooner.
Salutation: "My dear Florence"; Signature: "With all good wishes, Yours very sincerely, W.L. Mackenzie King."

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated March 28, 1931, in which he reports on the health of his dog Pat, who had been treated by doctors at "The Health of Animals Branch." He reports on an accidental fall suffered by Godfroy Patteson, husband of King's good friend Joan Patteson, and says in closing "I am glad, despite the length of the speech, that its reading created the favourable impression which your letter mentions."
Salutation: "My dear Peter" [typewritten]; Signature: "With kindest regards, Yours very sincerely [typewritten], Billy [handwritten]."

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated February 25, 1933, sending congratulations on the birth of a grandson.
Salutation: none; Signature: "W L Mackenzie King." The telegram is initialed "WLK [handwritten]."

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Florence Sims dated June 22, 1933 containing effusive gratitude for and memories of the visit he has just made to Chicopee. He writes lyrically and at length about the changes he has seen, "the glimpses of old Berlin hidden away amid the city of Kitchener which proclaims so much of growth prosperity," also "All these things touched my heart very deeply and stirred as you remarked, my very soul." King describes his trip home and his arrival at Kingsmere at midnight: "As I looked out of my window the heaven was lighted across its entire width with a display of aurora borealis such as I have never seen before. It was like a crown of eternal [illegible] set upon a vision of another world – the world of memory, of imagination, of delight in which I lived from the moment of departure to the moment of return." King finishes the letter with possible arrangements for Florence and Peter's visit to Kingsmere.
Salutation: "My dear Florence [handwritten]"; Signature: "Again my warmest wishes to Peter and yourself, for all your generous hospitality and for the joy you gave me, Believe me, dear Florence, Yours affectionately, Willie [handwritten]."

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Florence Sims dated April 18, 1935, sending Easter wishes to Florence, "the boys", and Harvey, "if he is at home with you." King declares himself very busy, pleased with Harvey's progress, and hoping to be able to travel. In a handwritten postscript he adds: "In Harvey's letters he has spoken with great enthusiasm of yourself, of how brave you have been, and how glad he is that you are so strong and well again. He feels that you have helped him immensely to get back into good shape."
Salutation: "My dear Florence [handwritten]"; Signature: "With love to you all, Yours affectionately, Willie [handwritten]."

Typewritten letter from Alex R. Goldie dated May 13, 1937 to Harvey J. Sims, concerning the visit of the Governor-General to Kitchener on May 19, 1937.

Typewritten letter, carbon, to Mr. C. Ellison Kaumeyer dated June 8, 1938, accepting his invitation to stay overnight in Niagara Falls and expressing pleasure at being able to visit with Mackenzie King and his sister whom he has not seen for some time.
Salutation: "Dear Mr. Kaumeyer [typewritten]" ; Signature: "Yours sincerely [typewritten]."

Printed circular reply card from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated December 22, 1939 with thank you for birthday greetings sent to him. He adds a handwritten note to Harvey.
Salutation: "My dear Peter [handwritten]"; Signature: "My affectionate good wishes to you both, and my best of wishes for your own birthday. I hope and pray [4 words illegible] Billy [handwritten]."

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims, dated May 13, 1941, concerning Angus Macdonald who relayed a message from Harvey, also mentioning his own intention to visit Kitchener in the summer.
Salutation: "My dear Peter [handwritten]"; Signature: "With all good wishes, Yours affectionately, Billy [handwritten]."

Typewritten letter, green carbon copy, from Harvey J. Sims to William Lyon Mackenzie King dated May 11, 1942, asking on behalf of Louis Lang that King use his influence to "induce" the American Ambassador from Russia to speak at the Canadian Manufacturers Association Annual Meeting in Toronto. Further, Harvey explains that Louis Lang is a close personal friend and that if Mr. Litvinoff cannot speak, King could perhaps suggest someone who would. This letter is accompanied by a carbon copy of Louis Lang's letter to Mackenzie King on the same subject, dated May 9, 1942.
Salutation: "My dear Billy" ; Signature: "Yours most sincerely."

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to J. Kenneth Sims dated September 22, 1947, thanking Kenneth for having him to tea at Chicopee. He mentions the library and says of Harvey J. Sims, who had died two years previously, "I am glad to think that he now knows that I have seen it." He also mentions preservation of Woodside. Salutation and signature in Mackenzie King's handwriting.

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.

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."

Letter from "Maude" dated Toronto, January 18, 1940 to Harvey J. Sims with information taken from The Wissler Family Record concerning the Robertson-Sims genealogy, and confusion caused by Harvey's grandmother having been married twice.

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.

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.

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 from and to Harvey J. Sims and J.H. White, University of Toronto, author of Forest Trees of Ontario. Includes pencil notes and lists by Harvey, information about Tree Tanglefoot and an envelope labelled "Address – Forest Trees" containing pencilled notes by Harvey for a speech about the importance of forest trees.

Correspondence from and to Harvey J. Sims and various book dealers and publishers relating to Harvey's efforts to build his library collection: Albert Britnell Book Shop (Toronto), The Book Society, World Books, Old Authors Shop (Ottawa), The Narrator (January 1942), Toronto Book Fair, Creasser's Book Shop (Toronto), T. Eaton Co. and the John Hardwick Co. (The Book House for Children). Includes invoices, catalogues, book lists, reviews, periodical issues and ephemera.

Photographic prints and negatives. Prints include a ca. 1885 portrait of Peter H. Sims, three photographs of W.L. Mackenzie King given to Harvey by King, as well as negatives of Chicopee house and grounds, and of the Sims family.

Photograph of William Lyon Mackenzie King taken outdoors, inscribed to Harvey J. Sims: “To Peter, from Willy, with all good wishes for Christmas and the New year, Laurier House, Ottawa."

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

Images of Harvey J. Sims, groups of people and dogs, and house and grounds at Chicopee.

Kitchener Daily Telegraph, December 2, 1919, p. 1: "History was made in Kitchener Monday night when the City Council unanimously turned down the clause in the Finance report calling for a plebiscite on the question of changing the name of Kitchener back to Berlin." A second article, also on the front page, reports on the aftermath of the evening: "Alds. Bitzer and Bowman, Messrs. Asmussen and Euler requested to kiss flag." "Ald. Bitzer was subsequently ducked four times in Victoria Lake, the News-Record office was wrecked by the crowd, Ald. Asmussen, M.P.P. was dragged from his home to the Victoria Hall and finally W.D. Euler, M.P., was seized at the Lancaster Club and rushed across the street to the hall where demands were made that he kiss the flag and offer apologies. He refused to do either of these and received a few blows from the crowd."

The Daily Record, Wednesday, June 22, 1922, p. 1

Small amount of material relating to the life and activities of Kenneth Sims, son of Harvey J. and Florence Sims. He married Mabel Alguire Cameron on June 28, 1930.
Includes a regrets letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King.

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 Francis Alexander Anglin, Justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario, dated July 2, 1945 to Kenneth Sims, with sympathy on the death of his father Harvey J. Sims.

Letter from Nellie Sharpe, dated March 28, 1948 Winnipeg, Manitoba, thanking Kenneth for writing with information about Rella. Very difficult handwriting.

Letter from Nigel Kempt, cousin of Kenneth Sims, dated January 6, 1950, thanking Mabel and Kenneth Sims for the "lovely piece of beef" sent at Christmas. "New Year is usually rather a wearisome time with us as our staff always have to get off, leaving us to feed the hens & do the cooking and so on."

Letter from E.G. Barrie dated June 18, 1951, Kitchener, to Mabel Sims, thanking her for taking care of table arrangements for an annual celebration, possible of the Chicopee Tennis Club. The letter is written on The Barrie Glove & Knitting Co. Limited, Kitchener, Ontario letterhead with a drawing of the factory.

Letter from Ed Knorr, Secretary Treasurer of the Woelfle Shoe Co., dated January 14, 1955, informing Kenneth Sims that the board of directors of the company had passed a resolution at the annual meeting of May 4, 1954 on the death of William Sims, to be recorded in the minutes.

Agenda and list of officers for the Chicopee Tennis Club annual meeting, September 15, 1946. Kenneth Sims is listed as president.

Letter from Peter H. Sims dated Waterloo, September 6, 1876 to his wife Jemima Sims, who is in Montreal visiting Peter's brother James' family. He describes Harvey's distress at her leaving on the boat, his trip home to Berlin, arrangements for Harvey staying with Jemima's sister Rosy, and plans for visiting him the following day. Includes envelope.

Letter from Peter H. Sims dated Waterloo, September 12, 1876 to his wife Jemima Sims, who is in Montreal: "My Dear Wife, I expected a letter from you yesterday and was much disappointed at not receiving one. However I conclude you are enjoying yourself so much that you can scarcely get time to write me. Yet I have no doubt that Harvey and Pa are the chief objects of your loving heart."

Letter from Peter H. Sims dated Toronto, October 4, 1895 to his wife Jemima Sims: "My dear wife, enclosed find a birthday present from me on this your birthday. As year after year rolls away we come to know each other better and to love each other more and more."

Letter from Rosie Bricker dated Salem, December 22 1868 to her sister Jemima Cook. She writes that her husband Ephraim can't leave the mill at Christmas (Includes envelope).

Letter from Hannah Cook dated March 4, 1869 to her sister Jemima Cook, with an added note signed "Harriet", probably visiting their sister Rosie Bricker in Salem. Written on lined paper (Includes envelope postmarked Feb. 12, 1869; probably not correct one).

Letter from Hannah Cook dated Preston, September 2, 1869 to her sister Jemima "Mrs. P.H." Sims, giving her family and friends' news from Salem and from Preston. Mention of dressmaking, spinning, and good food.

Letter from Anna C. Elsley postmarked Breslau, September 27, 1889 to her sister Jemima Sims describing the death of her daughter, "Carrie" on August 19, 1889 (Includes envelope).

From: At Home, Blair.

From: Yorkville.

From: Breslau, about sewing.

From: Waterloo. Concerning payment on account.

From: Parkdale Place. Letter writer is declining an invitation.

Carte de visite photograph of unidentified baby, with envelope addressed to Miss M.J. Cook., Preston, On., postmarked Doon, May 29, 1867.

Letter from John McQueen, Walkerton, to Peter H. Sims: note enclosed in favour of John Robertson, "I have never been well Since I took the medison which caused the fits," also received a letter from Peter's mother asking for money.

From Kettle Point: letter to Peter H. Sims.

From Floradale (includes envelope).

From Waterloo: letter from James Lockie to P.H. Sims reporting internal issues and factions, personnel problems and cliques working for their own ends.

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.