Fonds consists of records documenting the work and operations of Thomas G. Brown Church Interiors and its two predecessor companies, PC Browne and Co, and Thomas G. Browne Church Decoration. Together, these companies represent three generations of the operation of a church interior decorating business in Ontario by the Browne family, spanning almost a century.

The Browne family decorated, designed, and restored ecclesiastical works of art and furniture primarily in churches of various denominations, but also in other places of worship, such as synagogues, convents, cemetery and mausoleum chapels, hospital and school chapels. Other projects include work in private homes and bench seating for a provincial court. The geographic scope of the Brownes' work covers much of Ontario, with some out-of-province projects as well.

The business was owned by three generarions of the Browne family: Peter Charles Browne, from 1905-1938 (under the name PC Browne and Co.); Thomas Grant Browne Sr., from 1938-1968; (under the name Thomas G. Browne Church Decoration) and Thomas Grant Browne Jr., from 1968-2002 (under the name Thomas G. Browne Church Interiors). The records in this fonds are those of the latter two generations: Thomas G. Browne Sr. and Thomas G. Browne Jr.

The records of Peter Charles Browne no longer exist, although the correspondence, project information, and photographs in the fonds do relate and refer to the earlier works of P.C. Browne. There are many examples where works in churches were created and/or restored by all three generations of the Browne family.

The records in this fonds document the particular projects and business practices of the church decorating company, through the project, design, and supplier files, as well as original artwork and photographs of church interiors documenting the Browne family's works. The fonds also documents the types of expenses incurred as a result of running a small business of this nature in Ontario over several decades., through bills, invoices, ledgers and other financial records.

The arrangement of the fonds reflects the Brownes' respective record keeping systems. Thomas G. Browne Sr. filed his records chronologically by year, whereas Thomas G. Browne Jr. filed his records by project or subject.

Fonds has been arranged into 18 series.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4443?SESSIONSEARCH

Fonds consists of records, in various media, created, received and accumulated by former Premier Michael (Mike) D. Harris and his staff in Harris' capacity as MPP for Nipissing riding (1981-2002), Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (1990-2002) and 22nd Premier of Ontario (1995-2002).

Records of Mike Harris as Party Leader include campaign records related to his successful leadership bid in 1990; 1995 and 1999 election campaign records (strategy documents, scheduling records, day files, polling records, issues records) and communications materials (including speeches, press releases, television ads, ephemera); some records related to the 1995 transition in government as co-chaired by David Lindsay; general and issues correspondence; and photographs. Records of Mike Harris in his role as Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, particularly with respect to election campaigns, is most strongly represented in the fonds.

Records documenting Mike Harris as Premier include his speeches; scheduling, tour and itinerary records; some briefing books related to trade mission trips, and photographs of official events and trips.

Records of Mike Harris as MPP for Nipissing include records of his Executive Assistant, Bill King; records of his Constituency Assistant Gord Prisco; correspondence and meeting files with constituents; Nipissing campaign records; scrapbooks and ephemera; and audio and video recordings of Harris events in the riding. With the exception of the Gord Prisco records, these records predominantly document the pre-1990 or pre-leadership period.

In addition the fonds contains some personal correspondence files, mostly letters of thanks and congratulations sent or received by Mike Harris.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4419?SESSIONSEARCH

Fonds consists of records acquired and created by Rod Austin for the book he co-authored with Ted Barris entitled "Carved in Granite: 125 Years of Granite Club History", about the prominent Toronto sports and social club. The records include publications of the Granite Club, newspaper clippings, photographs, notes on these sources and drafts of the book.

The Granite Club publications include a near complete run of the Granite Club News, which outlines club activities and news about members. Also included are programs from the annual figure skating carnival, at which several Canadian and world champions who were members of the club performed. A number of Annual Reports are also included as well as greeting clubs and postcards published by the club.

Austin created research files on subjects and people related to the Granite Club. These include original and photocopied newspaper clippings, photographs and material from other published sources and archives, as well as his own notes and photographs. These files also include photocopies of some of the club's meeting minutes. Subjects include various sports, building relocations and allegations of racism. Persons represented in the files include club presidents, prominent members and staff. These records also include audio recordings of interviews conducted with club members.

Fonds includes several draft copies of the book annotated by Rod Austin and others.

Also included is the minute book for the Prospect Park Curling Club and financial statements for the Queen City Curling Club, both of which merged with the Granite Club.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4532?SESSIONSEARCH

Fonds consists of records created and accumulated by the Ontario Association of Art Galleries.

Fonds contains administrative records of the association, such as by-laws and incorporation papers, minutes of meetings, correspondence, reports, financial records, grant applications, and information on membership. Fonds also includes programs, publications, surveys of art galleries, briefs, policy statements, and other records which document the programs and services of the OAAG and the initiatives it has undertaken. In addition, the fonds includes histories of the association and records of its predecessor organizations, the Art Institute of Ontario and the Southern Ontario Galleries Group. Together these records document the formation and growth of the OAAG and its concerns and activities during a period of rapid expansion of art galleries in Ontario and following an era of funding cut-backs.

Issues addressed in this fonds include government policies regarding the arts, especially pertaining to funding; standards and facilities for the conservation of fine art; censorship and pornography in the arts; the value of art galleries to their communities; the needs and costs of art galleries; the professional development of gallery personnel; advocacy for art galleries; and taxation and the arts. Fonds also documents the OAAG's relationship with government (especially the Ontario Arts Council) and the role of government bodies in the development of the OAAG and the arts.

As well, fonds includes information on specific art galleries in Ontario, collected for general purposes and during special surveys undertaken by the OAAG to assess the physical facilities and funding needs of galleries in the province.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4343?SESSIONSEARCH

Fonds consists of records created and accumulated by Robert H. Hilborn relating to his research and writing of a history of the Queen Mother's visits to Canada from 1939 to 1989 (series F 4520-1), and relating to his own life from childhood to old age (series F 4520-2).

Items of interest include, but are not limited to, the following items relating to the Queen Mother: original correspondence from Vincent Massey, former Gov. Gen. of Canada, to Hilborn, 1965 (F 4520-1-0-58); official itineraries of Queen Mother's visits to Canada in 1979, 1981, 1985, 1987 and 1989 (F 4520-1-0-74); Hilborn's correspondence with staff of Clarence House, especially Sir Martin Gilliat, Private Secretary of the Queen Mother, and Frances Campbell-Preston, Lady-in-Waiting, 1962-2002 (F 4520-1-0-106 to F 4520-1-0-110); and photographs of the Queen Mother's visits to Canada, and some of the King and Queen in Europe during World War II, 1939-1989 (F 4520-1-0-87 to F 4520-1-0-105, with some gaps).

Other items of interest relating to Hilborn's life and career include the following commemorative coins, badges, etc.: 10 coins commemorating the 1984 visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (7 distinct versions with 3 duplicates), 1 coin commemorating Queen Elizabeth's 25th anniversary, 1977, and 5 cloth badges [military] (F 4520-2-0-56). Also of interest are awards, certificates, and appreciations presented to Hilborn, including: "Grant of the Dignity of an Additional Member of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire", 1945, "Grant of the Dignity of a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order", 1975, letter from Prince Phillip thanking Hilborn for role in Duke of Edinburgh Awards, 1975 and Duke of Edinburgh Awards [signed by Prince Phillip], 1977 (F 4520-2-0-57).

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4520?SESSIONSEARCH

Item is a motion picture film created by Harold Whyte and Ray McFadden, staff photographers for the newspaper, the Toronto Telegram. The film depicts in comic fashion night shift activities at the Toronto Telegram in 1953. The film also depicts newsroom equipment such as typewriters, cameras and telephones and staff who were working for the Telegram. Staff identified include: Bob Vezina, Arnold Agnew, Mike Steers, Bert Petlock, Eddie Palmer, Duncan Cameron, Ed Mahoney, Val Sears, Chick McGregor and Nels Quarrington.

Harold Whyte created a video version of the film in 2002 to which he added a soundtrack which helps to identify persons and provides a storyline to the original 1953 film. The video version also includes and identifies a group photograph of Telegram photographers who covered the 1951 visit of Princess Elizabeth to Canada.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4407?SESSIONSEARCH

Fonds consists of the professional and personal records of Harvey Landon Ladd including his work with the International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers (commonly referred to as Mine Mill), the International Woodworkers of America (IWA), the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), and Ladd Consultants Limited. A considerable portion of the records relate specifically to the Newfoundland Loggers' Strike of 1959 and its aftermath.

Specific types of records include: correspondence, working notes, speeches, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, newsletters, policy manuals, reports, expenditure sheets, strike vouchers, press releases, lecture notes, programs, collective agreements, and interview transcripts detailing Ladd's career as a labour organizer, union president, and arbitration services consultant.

Fonds also includes photographs accumulated by Ladd throughout his professional career. These document the Newfoundland Loggers' Strike including strike conditions and picketing, as well as IWA and CLC congresses and Mine Mill activities.

Fonds has been arranged into five series.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4609?SESSIONSEARCH

Fonds consists of records relating to early Loyalist settlement in the Niagara region including documents relating to claims for compensation for losses incurred during and following the American Revolutionary War, as well as early military records including records relating to the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

These records document the military involvement for multiple generations of Cryslers and Crysler relations as volunteers and sometimes regiment leaders for various causes.

Extensive correspondence and diaries from the mid-1800s until the early 1980s provide a comprehensive perspective of pioneer and more recent farm and family life in the Niagara region.

Detailed financial accounts and receipts document a wide range of expenditures and produce sales in the operation of a fruit and dairy farm throughout much of the twentieth century.

Mortgages, deeds, wills and estate records provide much detail about property transactions relating to members of the Crysler family over two centuries of land ownership in Niagara Township.

Beginning in approximately 1920, several family members developed an interest in family and local history and compiled research notes and family trees about Cryslers and related families including: Clements, Durhams, Cosbys, Fields and others.

The fonds includes photographs in many formats of family members, friends, social occasions and family properties. In addition, the fonds includes ephemera in the form of greeting cards, advertising, posters, broadsides, maps, programs and other materials.

Pencil and watercolour sketches and artworks created in the mid to late nineteenth century portray birds, horses, family members and other subjects.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4421?SESSIONSEARCH

Fonds consists of records created by John Baird in his capacity as MPP in the former Harris government, in which he served as both Parliamentary Assistant and a minister in various portfolios. The fonds is composed primarily of Baird's political papers relating to constituency matters and issues of personal interest, as well as some legislative materials.

Fonds also includes diaries kept by Baird's assistants for the purpose of tracking daily activities, issues and contacts. It also includes eight briefing binders on specific issues.

Fonds also includes a series of files related to Ottawa's municipal restructuring, which led to the amalgamation of eleven former municipalities and the townships of the Region of Ottawa-Carleton into a new City of Ottawa. Baird's Nepean riding was included in this amalgamation.

The fonds is arranged into four series.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4519?SESSIONSEARCH

Fonds consists of architectural drawings and photographs created and accumulated by John Wilkins during the course of running his business of residential building design and renovation. This business took place primarily in Toronto, although there were some projects in Muskoka, the Niagara area, Cobourg and Brantford. The houses designed by Wilkins were generally large and often included fairly elaborate landscape designs with pools and out-buildings. A comprehensive list of Wilkins' renovation jobs and his new construction projects does not exist.

The fonds has been arranged into two series. The first series (F 4433-1) consists of projects for which there are only photographs, and no architectural drawings. Most of these projects were jobs involving renovations to existing houses. The series also includes photographs of houses being newly constructed, but it is unclear if these were Wilkins' projects, or if they were photographs he took for reference purposes.

The second series (F 4433-2) consists of projects for which there are architectural drawings, sometimes accompanied by photographs. These projects include both renovation jobs and new constructions. Some of these projects also involve landscape design and the construction of out-buildings, such as pool houses.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4433?SESSIONSEARCH