Archives Search

Title

Fonds consists of

12 lower level description(s)

Arrangement structure

Show Arrangement Structure

Accession

1. Vincent Massey collection [graphic material]
2. Vincent Massey collection [graphic material]
3. Massey family fonds [textual records]
4. Massey Family and Foundation fonds [multiple media] (1999-01242-9)
5. Hart Massey Sketchbooks [graphic material] (2004-01106-8)

Date(s)

1807-1997

Place of creation

No place, unknown, or undetermined

Extent

17.62 m of textual records.
3.96 MB of textual records.
13,321 photographs b&w and col.
212 architectural drawings.
8 reproductions offset lithographs, photograph.
297 drawings and other graphic material pencil, pen and ink, coloured pencil and coloured ink
1 medal bronze
3 watercolours
1 painting tempera on cardboard
3 prints lithograph, serigraph
4 maps
1 vol. : ms., (specifications)

Language of material

English

Scope and content

Fonds consists of business and personal papers of members of the Massey family including Hart Almerrin Massey, Chester Daniel Massey, Arletta, Anna, Lillian, Walter E. H. and Eliza Phelps Massey, Vincent Massey, Alice Massey, Lionel Massey and Hart P.V. Massey and of the Parkin family. All volumes are available on microfilm (reels C-9203 to C-9232) with the exception of volumes 45-50, 72 and 78-97. Fonds also includes photographic material consisting of depictions of travels in Europe, the United States, and Egypt; Toronto residence; family activities; academic activities and sports. Fonds also includes architectural material consisting of ninety-three drawings for eight projects pertaining principally to the private residences of members of the Massey family. The drawings were prepared by a number of architects including Joseph Ireland, E.J. Lennox, Henry Simpson, G.M. Miller, Sproatt & Rolp, Mathers & Haldenby, and Hart Massey. There are also plans for a Methodist Church in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with specifications. Project [6] was commissioned for changes to Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario. Fonds also include prints, drawings and other graphic materials relating primarily to Vincent Massey's political career. In addition, there is a group of Hart Massey (1918-1997) sketchbooks that contain his jewellery and sculpture designs.

Conditions of access

Terms of use

Photographs (accession no. 1980-052, 1973-059, 1963-145, 1973-312, 1971-233): no restrictions on use or reproduction. Various copyrights on items less than 50 years old; copyright expired on items greater than 50 years old. Credit: name of photographer / National Archives of Canada / copy negative number.
Photographs (accession no. 1975-337): researchers must contact the donor to obtain a reference copy. Copyright expired. Credit: name of photographer / National Archives of Canada / copy negative number.
Photographs (accession no. 1974-435): Accession is permanently closed. The National Archives of Canada does not hold the originals, nor does in provide copies; they must be obtained from the lender. For items still in copyright, copyright must be established by the holder of the originals. Credit: name of photographer / National Archives of Canada / copy negative number.
Architectural, technical drawings: There are no access restrictions. Reproductions of the drawings are available subject to the Canadian Copyright Act. Credit Library and Archives Canada.
Tempera painting: Use and or reproduction with the permission of Hart Massey. Copyright expired. Credit: National Archives of Canada.
All other graphic material: Terms of use and restrictions are still to be determined. Various copyrights.
Cartographic material : No restrictions on access. Reproduction subject to conditions outlined in the Canadian Copyright Act. Credit Library and Archives Canada.

Finding aid

Textual records The finding aid, part 1, describes volumes 1-7: Hart Massey papers. MSS0565_1 90 (Electronic)
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000002286.pdf

Textual records Part 2 of the finding aid describes volumes 8-18 of the Hart Massey papers; volumes 19-31, Chester Massey papers; volumes 32-33: Arletta, Anna, Lillian, W.E.H. and Eliza Phelps Massey papers; volumes 33-50: Vincent Massey; volumes 51-62, and 71: Alice Massey papers; and volumes 63-69: Lionel Massey; volume 70: Hart Massey; and volume 70: Parkin family. MSS0565_2 90 (Electronic)
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000002287.pdf

Textual records Part 3 of the finding aid consists of a file list of the addendum. The electronic finding aids consist of volumes 73, 78 to 97. MSS0565_3 90 (Electronic)
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000000086.pdf

Architectural, technical drawings Please consult lower level descriptions. Finding aids are available, indexed by Building Type and Architect. 90 (Other)

Cartographic material Please consult lower level descriptions. Finding aids are available, indexed by Building Type and Architect. 90 (Other)

Photographs (Accession no. 1971-233): Shelf list only. FA-249 90 (Electronic)

Creator / Provenance

Massey (family)

Additional name(s)

Associated name: Massey, Vincent, 1887-1967.

Biography / Administrative history

Hart Massey was born in Cobourg, Upper Canada in 1823. In 1851 he joined the manufacturing foundry and import business (the Newcastle Agriculture Works) founded by his father Daniel; Hart Massey became a partner and general manager of the firm the following year. Upon Daniel Massey's retirement in 1855, the firm became the H.A. Massey Company and in 1870 was incorporated as the Massey Manufacturing Company.

Hart Massey retired in 1870, but he returned to head the business in 1884 after the death of his eldest son and successor, Charles Albert Massey. As the reputation of Massey products grew, so did their success in international exhibitions and meets. Competition increased and in 1891 the Massey company merged with its closest rival, A. Harris, Son and Company, forming the Massey-Harris Company. Hart Massey remained president until his death in 1896.

Chester Massey , the second son of Hart A. Massey, was born in 1850 and was educated at Victoria College, Toronto. He served as secretary of the family business from 1870, as director and treasurer of the new Massey-Harris Company from 1891 and as company president from 1901 until 1903 when he resigned due to ill health; he remained honourary president until his death in 1926. From 1896 to 1926 he administered the H.A. Massey Estate, later the Massey Foundation.

Arletta Massey (1843-1884) was a sister of Hart A. Massey.

Anna Vincent Massey (d. 1903) was the first wife of Chester D. Massey and the mother of Vincent Massey.

Lillian Massey (1854-1915) was a daughter of Hart A. Massey.

Walter E.H. Massey (1864-1901), son of Hart A. Massey spent his adult life in the family business and was president of Massey-Harris from 1896 to 1901.

Eliza Phelps Massey (1823-1908) was the wife of Hart A. Massey.

Vincent Massey, the elder son of Chester D. and Anna Vincent Massey, was born in Toronto in 1887. He attended the University of Toronto and Oxford University. He was involved in the establishment of Hart House from 1910 until its completion in 1919. He served on the staff of Military District Number 2, Camp Borden, 1915-1918, and then went to Ottawa as associate secretary of the War Committee of the Cabinet and its successor, the Repatriation and Employment Committee.

Vincent Massey served as president of Massey-Harris, 1921-1925, Minister without Portfolio in the King government of 1925, the first Canadian Minister to the United States, 1926-1930, president of the National Liberal Federation, 1932-1935, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, 1935-1946, and Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Development of the Arts, Letters and Sciences, 1949-1951. He was appointed the first Canadian born Governor General in 1952 and remained in office until 1959. He died in 1967.

Alice Massey was born in Fredericton, N.B., in 1880, the daughter of Sir George and Annie Parkin. She was educated in Canada, England and Switzerland. In 1914 she was appointed head of the women's students hostel at the University of Toronto.

During the Second World War, when her husband was High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, she was actively involved in the establishment and operation of several organizations set up for the benefit of Canadian service personnel in England -- Garnons, a convalescing home for Canadian servicemen, the Canadian Officers' Club and the Beaver Club. Mrs. Massey died in 1950.

Lionel Massey, elder son of Vincent and Alice Massey, was born in 1916 and attended Balliol College, Oxford University, 1935-1938. In 1938 he became secretary for the British delegation to the British Commonwealth Relations Conference meeting in Australia. He joined the British Army in 1939 and while serving in Greece in 1941 was severely wounded and taken prisoner of war. He was released in 1944 and discharged from the Army in 1946. Lioned served as an executive for the Massey-Harris Company before becoming secretary to the Governor-General with his father's appointment in 1952. He died in 1965.

Hart Massey, younger son of Vincent and Alice Massey, was born in 1918. He was educated at Oxford University and the University of Toronto. He served in the Second World War as an intelligence officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force. An architect, he practised in London, England, and Ottawa. He was a director of the Massey Foundation. He died in 1997.

Additional information

Subject heading

1. Toronto (Ont.) - Business enterprises, 1885-1895
2. G. Raleigh Parkin, [1889-1950]
3. Methodist Church - Canada, [1826-1895]
4. Alice Parkin Massey, [1889-1950]
5. Education - Canada, [1926-1895]
6. Grace Parkin Wimperis, [1889-1950]
7. Education - United States, [1826-1895]
8. Grant Parkin, [1889-1950]
9. Cleveland (Ohio) - Real estate investment, [1826-1895]
10. Maude Parkin, [1889-1950]
11. Toronto (Ont.) - Social life and customs, [19-]
12. Annie Parkin, [18891950]
13. Canada - Religion, [19-]
14. Marjorie Parkin Macdonell, [1889-1950]
15. Toronto (Ont.) - Cultural life, [19-]
16. Sir George Parkin, [1889-1950]
17. Cultural associations, [1896-1919]
18. Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, [1926-1947]
19. Arletta Massey - Diaries, [1865-1866]
20. Hart P.V. Massey, 1926-1947.
21. World War II - Prisoners and prisons, 1941-1944
22. Massey-Harris Co., [1926-1963]
23. World War II - Prisoners of war, Canadian, 1941-1944
24. British Commonwealth Relations Conference (Australia), 1938.
25. Parkin family, [1899-1967]
26. Batterwood House (Ontario), n.d., 1932-1967.
27. Vincent Massey - Oratory, [1922-1966]
28. Alice Parkin Massey, [1899-1967]
29. Art - Exhibitions, [1933-1959]
30. Lionel Massey, [1946-1963]
31. David Milne, [1899-1967]
32. Eliza Massey, 1889.
33. Hart Massey, [1807-1925]
34. Massey Foundation, n.d.
35. Fred Victor Mission (Toronto, Ont.), n.d.
36. Massey Music Hall (Toronto, Ont.), n.d.
37. Massey Manufacturing Co., 1885-1895.
38. Walter E.H. Massey, 1889-1888.
39. Hart Almerrin Massey, 1826, 1874, 1879-1895.
40. Politics and government.
41. Canada
42. Politique et gouvernement .

Source

Private

Other system control no.

MAINS24277

Related control no.

1. 1972-027 PIC
2. 1989-578 X DAP
3. 2002-0153 VSA
4. 1999-01242-9
5. 2004-01106-8
6. MG32-A1

MIKAN no.

105634