Bliss, Robert Woods, 1875-1962

Scope and Contents: Thirty-seven black and white photographs, 2 color photographs, and a collection of photographs with drawings and notes of the Dumbarton Oaks Park which refers to the 27-acre parcel of land that Robert and Mildred Bliss donated to the National Park Service in 1940. The acreage is now considered a part of Rock Creek Park.When it was part of the Bliss estate, the park belonged to Beatrix Farrand’s garden design. It served as a rustic counterpoint to the complex and formal garden...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature and enclosure from Irving Root, Superintendent, National Park Service, National Capital Parks to Beatrix Farrand tells her their engineering department is proposing a storm water sewer through the Dumbarton Oaks Park to handle the excess water run-off from Wisconsin Avenue and other adjacent property. An enclosure indicates that James Bryce had approved a similar solution to the problem earlier. He sends her the engineering proposal and asks her...

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Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Irving C. Root suggests dates for a meeting in November between John Thacher, Irving C. Root, and Beatrix Farrand about the Dumbarton Oaks Park. She is asking James Bryce to stake out a path over Clifton Hill.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses her upcoming November 21-25, 1941 trip to Dumbarton Oaks. She reviews her planned schedule, such as who she will meet with, what they will discuss, and when these meetings will take place. She may go to Alexandria, Virginia to see some land belonging to Dorothy Straight Elmhirst's son, Michael Whitney Straight. Beatrix Farrand encloses copies of two letters she wrote to Newton B. Drury and to Irving...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher asks the result of the meeting with the Dumbarton Oaks Park Committee Meeting and if any progress was made with Irving Root and Donald L. Kline. She inquires if Robert and Mildred Bliss will return to Washington, D.C. next winter and where they will live. She hopes the scheme for the historic tablet on R Street meets his approval and offers her opinion on it and the construction in the wall.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses the Park Advisory Committeee; the White Haven Street entrance to the Park; widening and construction of paths in the Dumbarton Oaks Park; Beatrix Farrand's next planned trip to Dumbarton Oaks; request for the budget that applies to work Beatrix Farrand will do outdoors; and how to cover Anne Sweeney's salary. There is a penciled question mark besides a paragraph discussing Anne Sweeney's salary....

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses her review of the 1940 and 1941-42 budgets for Dumbarton Oaks and wonders if some maintenance costs have been left off. She promises to send a typed and revised report to John Thacher. Handwritten postscript tells Thacher that a letter to the Park Committee members has been sent to Robert Woods Bliss. Written on Beatrix Farrand letterhead with 1650 Orlando Road, San Marino, California address...

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Copy of typescript letter, unsigned, from Beatrix Farrand to Newton B. Drury discusses a possible November meeting between Beatrix Farrand and Newton B. Drury about the Dumbarton Oaks Park, specifically she wants to discuss constructing a path. She encloses a letter to Irving C. Root in which she asks Root to speak with John Thacher or James Bryce. She send her and Max Farrand's regards.

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Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Irving Root thanks him for telling her Donald L. Kline will meet with her on Dumbarton Oaks matters. Farrand regrets to have to reschedule their meeting to a later date. She reports disquieting news from John Thacher on the condition of the Dumbarton Oaks Park stream. Robert and Mildred Bliss will be happy to hear that an Advisory Committee is in the works.

Scope and Contents: Copy of a typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Irving C. Root asks that that he verify the existence and composition of the Dumbarton Oaks Park Advisory Committee as Mildred Bliss is uncertain of its status. She asks if he would arrange an April 14, a meeting with Mr. Kline, the architect of the Capital Parks, to review the walk on Clifton Hill, the possible gift of the stone seats and their placing, and the widening of the stream path, and encourages Mr. Root's attendance at the...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Donald Kline to Beatrix Farrand. A copy of the letter was sent to John Thacher. Kline tells her that he request $8,600 in the National Captial Parks District of Columbia budget for personnel and materials to properly maintain the area in the present condition. He is uncertain if Congress will pass the budgeted amount of even $4000. Four copies of letter with original.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ellis Russell to Beatrix Farrand discusses the amount requested in the budget by the National Park Service for the Dumbarton Oaks Park and offered guidance on the distribution of the money under the direction of a committee appointed of the deed of trust. He has consulted with Mr. Delefield on the matter who thinks that even if a trust was created by the Blisses for Dumbarton Oaks Park, it would probably result in the reduction of the public...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Irving C. Root to Robert W. Bliss answers Robert Bliss' letter of June 24 (D:RB 1941.06.24) to Newton B. Drury acknowledging the creation of an advisory committee for Dumbarton Oaks Park. Irving Root states that the National Capital Parks Service agrees with the planned composition of the Dumbarton Oaks Park advisory committee and will arrange a time to choose a fifth committee member.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Irving Root to Beatrix Farrand invites her to a meeting that he has arranged with Donald L. Kline, landscape architect, for April 14 at 3 p.m. to discuss Dumbarton Oaks matters as she had suggested in her March 10 letter. He reports that the Advisory Committee for Dumbarton Oaks Park had been approved the previous year by the National Park Service upon the suggestion of Robert Woods Bliss, but that they had neglected to make formal...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand thanks her for her March 10 letter confirming her April 12-17 visit to Dumbarton Oaks, and expresses pleasure at the news of Ruth Havey's coinciding visit given the importance of furthering designs for future plans in the gardens. He notes that he had observed Dumbarton Oaks Park personnel spraying the trees and conveys disappointment at learning from James Bryce that they lack funds or manpower to dredge the Branch. He conveys...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her Robert and Mildred Bliss were shocked by the condition of the Dumbarton Oaks Park and made their concern clear to Irving Root and Donald Kline from the National Park Service. He reports the Blisses have probably decided to hold off on establishing a trust fund for the park until the Park Commission has taken some action. James Bryce is working with David Finley about bulbs for the National Gallery [of Art]. He is...

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her there are preparations being made for the Blisses return and Dumbarton Oaks is in a state of jitters. He thinks it would be helpful for Farrand to meet with the Blisses and the National Park personal, Irving Root and Mr. Kline.

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Newton B. Drury, director of the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. to Beatrix Farrand tells her he is anxious for the Advisory Committee for Dumbarton Oaks Park to become active. He asks her to formally accept the appointment to this committee.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter from Robert Woods Bliss to Newton B. Drury, Director of the National Park Service, discusses the formation of an Advisory Committee for Dumbarton Oaks Park. Robert Bliss details the composition of the committee and wishes for the National Park Service's approval and collaboration in its formation. The Advisory Committee would be composed of Irving Root, John Thacher, Beatrix Farrand, Mildred Bliss, and a fifth member appointed by the four members. He hopes the formation of...

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Typescript press release from Irving C. Root, Superintendent of National Capital Parks announces a sponsored nature walk through Dumbarton Oaks Park on the morning of July 13, 1941 led by Louis C. Wheeler, a Ranger-Naturalist for National Capital Parks. Handwritten note in top, left hand corner in either blue or faded black ink, "This is a popular weekly event."

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Western Union telegram from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher thanks him for the nice messages and reports that she is recovering. She asks him to telephone Irving Root urgently to press for immediate action regarding the branch conditionsin the Dumbarton Oaks Park which Beatrix Farrand regards essential to park upkeep. She asks him to make no promises, but will relay news to neighbors [Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss].