The series consists of two scrapbooks kept by Ethel O'Neil McKenzie, including files of loose material removed from the scrapbooks and filed separately.
The first scrapbook was evidently begun by Ethel O'Neil as a souvenir of Hamilton when she left to study music in New York. It begins with a photo of [her mother], another of her music teacher, J.E.P. Aldous, founder and director of the Hamilton School of Music, and a photo of the interior of his studio. There is a souvenir booklet containing views of Hamilton and a number of souvenir postcards, including a real photo postcard of the interior of St. John the Evangelist Church in Hamilton. A few clippings record Ethel O'Neil's reception in New York (as well as a typescript and a clipping of two poems inspired by her); a recital programme 1902 and Virgil School of Music prospectus 1902-03 document her studies. There is documentation on Science Hill College, where she taught music, and various society clippings. The passenger list for the S.S. "Marquette" 1907 records both her and Robert Tait McKenzie as passengers and souvenir postcards of Antwerp provide evidence of a stay there. The scrapbook includes documentation on the McKenzies' wedding in Dublin, including informal snapshots of the bride and bridegroom, and on their friendship with the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen. The rest of the scrapbook documents the McKenzies' standing in high society, both in the United States and in Great Britain (included is a souvenir sheet of autographs from a house party in Great Britain, with the Aberdeens' signatures and that of William Lyon Mackenzie King) and includes correspondence with the royal family and others. Included is an exchange of letters with one of Ethel McKenzie's brothers in Hamilton upon the death of their father. There are a total of 25 black and white photos in the scrapbook, all snapshots. Two watercolour sketches of castles and grounds by Robert Tait McKenzie, done in both Randallstown and Linlathon, are also included and have been mounted on one sheet.
The second scrapbook is labelled "Secret Snow" and contains reviews of Ethel McKenzie's book of poetry as well as copies of the publisher's announcement and other publicity material. Also included are joint greetings cards featuring reproductions of Robert Tait McKenzie's sculpture and Ethel McKenzie's poems. There are clippings about Ethel McKenzie's society activities and her participation in various cultural activities, and about the exhibition of Robert Tait McKenzie's work after his death in 1938.
