Collection: Ronald Sims Collection
- Date:
- 1955 - 2007
- Reference:
- SPA01
- Type:
- Collection Containing Photographic, Graphic, Electronic, Textual And Miscellaneous Material
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Description
This material has not yet been fully catalogued. Copyright, date, and quantity information for this record may be incomplete or inaccurate.
The collection contains over 20,000 photographs and negatives relating to the post-war architectural practice of Ronald Sims (1926-2007). Sims was taken on by ecclesiastical architect Sir George Gaze Pace (1915-1975) as his assistant in the 1950s. The collection primarily provides a visual record of work conducted by Ronald Sims between 1975 and 2007. There are some images relating to collaborative work with George Pace from about 1959.
Sims conducted a large proportion of his work in Yorkshire and this is reflected in the collection. There are some major projects represented that are elsewhere in England and Wales and there are some images of work done by George Pace in Ibadam, Nigeria.
Buildings of prominence by Pace and Sims that are depicted in the collection include: refurbishment of St Mary's church, Putney; chapter house for Southwark Cathedral; reconstruction of Sheffield churches St Mark's, Broomhill and Christ Church, Fulwood; new church in Doncaster All Saints, Intake; major restoration of St Botolph's church, Boston and the Mausoleum, Castle Howard; alterations and extensions to Scargill House, Kettlewell; and a new chapel for Keele University. Most of the projects represented are extensions, alterations or restorations of churches, rectories and faith centres.
The earliest part of the collection is a set of black and white negatives and prints taken by professional photographers of completed projects. The later part contains primarily colour 'snaps', many in albums, showing progress of works taken by Ronald Sims. There are also colour 35mm slides, a few transparencies and postcards, a drawing, and a file of papers relating to stonework at Castle Howard.
A handlist is available.
Archival History
The collection was acquired by the NMR in 2009. The bulk of the practice archive (drawings, correspondence etc.) is at the Borthwick Institute, York.
Rights
© Historic England Archive