Bliss, Robert Woods, 1875-1962

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Father Francis Dvornik to Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss thanks them for their generous gift. He says, "Mr. Bliss knows the "good years!" He will enjoy the wine and Christmas cake. His gift for them is unfortunately on its way to be printed. He did all he could to have his new book printed before Christmas, but he has not succeeded. He has only finished the correction of the gallery proofs. He only has a small offprint in French to offer them. It is a short...

Scope and Contents: Signed handwritten letter from Frederick Moore, Advisor to Japan, to Mildred Bliss thanks her for allowing him to show Japanese gardeners the Dumbarton Oaks Garden. He said James Bryce lead the tour and was very informative. He asks to give his regards to Robert Woods Bliss, who he has the pleasure to be acquainted with. Also included is a handwritten transcript of a telephone call made by Frederick Moore probably to Mildred Bliss' secretary shortly after the visit thanking her for the...

Scope and Contents: Correspondence to or from Mildred Bliss' secretary and Frederick R. Goff, Chief, Rare Books Division of the Library of Congress. Also includes an analysis of plates missing from the book, "Botanist's Repository" in the Library of Congress collection and Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs information and price list for the Historic American Building Survey collection, the Pictorial Archives of Early American Architecture collection, and the Architecture of the Deep South...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from G. Frederick Coles to Robert Woods Bliss enclosing photographs of the scale model as per Mr. [John W.] Davis' instructions. He fears the photographs are not very successful due to the lack of equipment for interior photography. The colors on the model do not record in black and white very well. Mr. Waterman is to have a photographer at Dumbarton Oaks very soon and perhaps can send you some satisfactory ones. He reports experiencing the first and welcome relief from...

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Typescript letter on Yale University, Department of Classics letterhead with handwritten corrections and signature by George Lincoln Hendrickson offering a Latin inscription dedicated to Beatrix Farrand. Ellis Russell is secretary to Robert Woods Bliss, but letter was probably intended for Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Glanville Downey to Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss informing them that he and his family are very comfortably settled in Princeton, and they look forward to a pleasant year. They will miss Washington [D.C.] and Dumbarton Oaks. They are living in a furnished apartment provided by the Institute which is quite adequate and with a few minutes walk of the Institute buildings where Glanville has been given an excellent study. He reports there...

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Appreciation letters sent to Mildred Bliss. Two letter are copies sent from Mildred Bliss to Alberta Carpenter and Richard Bassett.

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Signed handwritten letter from Harriet L.A David? to Mildred Bliss thanks her for being able to wander the Dumbarton Oaks Garden. She mentions seeing Charlotte Kellogg and that she seemed better than a week earlier.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Harriet [Barnes] Pratt to Mildred Bliss thanks her for a lovely day on Saturday and was the greatest pleasure to be with Mildred and Mr. [Robert Woods] Bliss in their beautiful house with fellow members of the Visiting Committee, and especially to have a chance to see Mildred. "It was most fortuitous for us to meet Mrs. [Beatrix] Farrand and to have her take me about your beautiful gardens, and to hear about your happy partnership in their construction. They are so...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Harry Thompson, National Park Service to Beatrix Farrand discusses matters of the Dumbarton Oaks Park: the stone benches along the woodland trail; the removal of the stone steps connecting the Spring House with the park boundary; the cutting of the old oak tree for firewood, and the revision of the pool shoreline. Prices for replacement and reinforcing plants along the stream have been requested from several nurseries.

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Handwritten letter from Helen P. Thorue to Mildred Bliss tells her she is sorry to hear that she was ill and that she missed her while at Dumbarton Oaks. She hopes she is feeling better. She enjoyed seeing Robert Woods Bliss. She says, "Your garden is a treasure garden - it is filled with exquisite beauties of all kind, garden design, horticultural treasures, garden ornament and above all imagination and enchanting variety."

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Typescript letter from Henri Marceau on Pennsylvania Museum of Art letterhead thanking Barbara Sessions, librarian at Dumbarton Oaks for Mildred Bliss and Robert Woods Bliss. He acknowledges the receipt of material that has been seen and stamped by the French consulate in Philadelphia. He mentions it [the material] was sent special delivery to catch the Europa [possibly a transatlantic ship]. He hopes the photographs and description will be of service to M.[Monsieur] Mallet.

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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...

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Signed handwritten letter from J.D. Hatch, Jr. to Mildred Bliss thanking her for tea and a reception in her Dumbarton Oaks Garden, Washington, D.C. He says he has enjoyed wandering many gardens, but he has not seen one as offering such an intimate and personal spirit to it. It was the perfect setting for the event. He hopes to see her and Robert Woods Bliss in Boston.

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand answers her garden-related questions of March 8th (D:BF 1941.03.08) and responds to her letter of March 18th (D:BF 1941.03.18) regarding her impending trip to Dumbarton Oaks. John Thacher emphasizes his need to discuss matters in person with the Blisses and suggests he goes West to visit with them if their plans to travel East are not soon realized. He comments on Professor Focillon's health. He reports that Robert Woods Bliss...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand responds to her letters of June 12 (D:BF 1941.06.12) and June 17 (D:BF 1941.06.17) regarding various garden-related matters, such as Dumbarton Oaks' expense report, signage in the garden as the current ones are horrible, Beatrix Farrand's salary, Barbara Sessions recovering in Rockville, and John Thacher's travel plans to Cambridge and the Fogg Museum, Camden, and Bar Harbor. He reports having dinner on the train with Lawrence...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand responds to her two letters of June 23 (D:BF 1941.06.23 and D:BF 1941.06.23B) regarding Beatrix Farrand's financial arrangements which are entirely clear in his mind. John Thacher also answers her earlier questions regarding the budget, his address while he's away, the use of the gardens for schoolchildren to be on hold until September, and work being done by John W. Davis, architect in the library at Dumbarton Oaks. Includes...

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand responds to Beatrix Farrand's letter of August 27 (D:BF 1941.08.27) acknowledges receipt of a check for Anne Sweeney's September salary and informs Beatrix Farrand on the progress of Robert Bliss' health as conveyed through a telegram from Mildred Bliss.

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 expresses relief that the Orangery question has been clarified and affirms that James Bryce has been given instructions not to make changes at present. He reassures her that unless an emergency should occur, there is no need for making any changes in plans regarding the gardens until they can meet and talk about the coming year. John Thacher reports that Paul Sachs is coming to Dumbarton Oaks which will give them an opportunity...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand thanks her for her January 29 letter and encloses her letter to Paul Sachs of the same date. He returns the letter with the suggestion that they wait until the three of them can meet. He expresses confidence that he, Beatrix Farrand, and the [Administrative] Board are in agreement regarding the gardens and therefore there is no need for anxiety. He hopes to be in Washington, D.C. in mid-April during Farrand's visit. John Thacher...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand confirms receipt of her February 13 letter in which she had enclosed statements for the Beatrix Farrand and Beatrix Farrand, Agent accounts. John Thacher explains that he will be delayed in sending her a check for the Beatrix Farrand account, and asks if she needs another deposit to the Beatrix Farrand, Agent account to let him know. He thanks Beatrix Farrand for sending a check to cover one month of Anne Sweeney's salary, and...

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Ruth Havey tells her he would like to see and review the drawings for the 32nd and historic tablets before Robert and Mildred Bliss return to Dumbarton Oaks. He is glad her visit with Beatrix Farrand is going well.

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her Ruth Havey's visit was successful and she later sent dummies for the 32nd Street tablet and historic tablet on R Street. They were returned to her with suggestions. He reports the trefoil gate drawing is improved, but still needs work. An answer about flowers for the National Gallery [of Art] is still pending. David Finley will go over the question with Bryce this coming week. Finley needs to get three competitive bids...