Bliss, Robert Woods, 1875-1962

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...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her that due to governement red tape providing bulbs to the National Gallery [of Art] is impossible. He reports Robert and Mildred Bliss will be returning to Washington, D.C. in the autumn. He outlines the needs for flowers in the house and surrounding buildings. Mr. Baker is not likely to resume his former work after his accident. He asks if another tree man should be hired or if an outside person/company should be hired....

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her to order what plants she thinks Robert and Mildred Bliss need. He is worried about the rain and damage to the basement floors of the new wings. His plans are uncertain about getting a regular tree man. He sends his regards to Max and Beatrix Farrand.

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her he spoke to Robert and Mildred Bliss who told them their decision about the tablets. He is confident Beatrix Farrand, Ruth Havey, and John Thacher can come up a design that pleases the Blisses. The second academic year at Dumbarton Oaks begins on September 25.

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand thanks her for sending her travel dates to Dumbarton Oaks. He offers her a smaller "sky apartment" to stay in while at Dumbarton Oaks. He suggest Ruth Havey also come during her visit and James Bryce can offer her a room to stay in. He is anxious to get the plans for changes to the North Vista and Herbaceous border walls, but doubts any work can be done for another year. He asks that he, Farrand, and Bryce agree on the position...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her he is delighted that Ruth Havey will come to Dumbarton Oaks during Farrand's visit. He wants to have definite plans for the North Vista and Herbaceous Border and will store them in the safe. Dumbarton Oaks should be charged for them, but does not want to be charged for revisions. It will be up to Mildred Bliss if she chooses to continue with the projects. They can discuss further the storm sewer drain during Farrand's...

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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.

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand thanks her letter and receipted bill and her confidential letter of Easter Day. He is delighted that she approved the budget and reports that Paul J. Sachs has also done so. He discusses his contribution to the garden fund; Farrand's plans to visit Dumbarton Oaks; not wanting to put pressure on Mildred Bliss; Francis Baker, a tree man falling from a tree and needing surgery, a tree service taking over his work while he is in the...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Joyce Gascoigne [Mrs. Julian Alvery Gascoigne] probably to Robert Woods Bliss asks if she might bring her brother, Sir Ralph Newman to see the Dumbarton Oaks garden. She says her brother is on the committee of the Royal Horticultural Society and also President of the British Fuchsia Society. Lady Wilson told Joyce about Robert Woods Bliss and it would be very nice if he could find the time to take Joyce and her brother around his lovely garden. She wonders if...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Julia P. Wightman [Julia Parker Wightman] to Mildred Bliss tells her it was lovely of her and Ambassador [Robert] Bliss to have the Hroswitha Club members to Dumbarton Oaks. She has always longed to see it so much and the grounds and house surpass any description. It was wonderful for them to have given their home for a research library of such proportions. "It is just fabulous!" Wightman is still remembering the beautiful music room with its magnificient ceiling and...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Katherine Harvey to Mildred Bliss tells her Helen Woods conducted her to Dumbarton Oaks and to Mr. [John] Thacher who very obligingly showed her the treasures that Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss have given to Harvard [University]. She deeply enjoyed seeing them. They did not see the home as it was "put away" for the summer, but they saw both the music room and afterwards walked through the beautiful gardens. Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss have offered a gift whose...

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Correspondence from individuals or businesses with the last name or name beginning with "W". One correspondence is about the Virginia Woolf manuscripts.

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Letter from Lawrence Grant White to Robert Woods Bliss tells him the formula and process for painting the letters.

Scope and Contents: Handsigned typescript letter from Leolin H. Neville-Thompson to Mildred Bliss thanks her for the privilege of viewing with the public the Dumbarton Oaks Garden. He mentions that the garden "runs from the extreme of a wild woodland to that of a formal garden ... with its roses and side beds of well grouped perennials and seasonal flowers."Included is a response from Mildred Bliss was sent June 2, 1939 saying she and her husband are glad it brought much pleasure to him. She lets...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Mrs. Marguerite B. Allen to Mildred Bliss tells her it was a pleasure to visit her lovely estate, and her heart is full of loving appreciation and adoration for her generosity in opening her doors that the public might get a glimpse of "Very Close to Heaven". The Chrysanthemum garden was so radiant in splendor that she wondered if paradise could be more beautiful. She thought, "How beautiful must be the souls who dwell here" and then was told...

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Handwritten letter from Marguerite H. Focillon to Robert and Mildred Bliss tells them about the exhibition organized by the city of Dijon, France at the Palais des Etats de Bourgogne for her husband Henri Focillon, art historian and his father, Victor Focillon, an engraver. She includes a newspaper clipping of the event.

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Handwritten letter from Marian Templeton to Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss expresses her appreciation of their generosity in opening their estate to the public yesterday. She spent two enjoyable hours in their garden and have never felt quite the same enjoyment in anything else.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Marion Wade Doyle [Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle] to Mildred Bliss tells her the Board of Directors were very glad to hear at their October 9 meeting that Mr. Robert Woods Bliss is making good progress. Mr. [James] Bryce told them that he has now left the hospital, and they wish him speedy progress in recovering from the effects of his illness. She reports Dumbarton Oaks was very beautiful with sunny and fairly cool weather for the guests that...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Marvin C. Ross to Mildred Bliss and Robert Woods Bliss reporting he is off. The Russians made two concessions for his travel, 1) he is allowed to travel alone and 2) he has been given 30 days instead of 25 and the possibility of an extension. He feels it is wonderful and he is so excited.On Wednesday [July 17, 1957?], Marvin will see The Hermitage, and he "owes all this to Dumbarton Oaks!"He tells them the book on enamels will be a distillation...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter on printed letterhead (Gostinitsa "Savoi", G. Moskva) from Marvin C. Ross to Mildred Bliss and Robert Woods Bliss reporting he arrived late at night in Moscow the day before last and yesterday spent time at the Pushkin Museum and the Historical Museum. He is seeing a few things and arranging others to be taken out of the cases on Monday and Tuesday morning. The afternoon was his first visit to the Kremlin as it was closed in 1939. He reports "startling treasures there",...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Marvin C. Ross to Mildred Bliss and Robert Woods Bliss reporting that they gave him a beautiful day yesterday. The Juritzky [Antonin Juritzy-Warberg] visit was one he had long wanted to make and proved to be better than he expected.Marvin hopes that "some day that the emperors globe with the [?] and the eagle's head from an imperial scepter will on day go into your collection. They are fine and terribly important items.""While looking at the...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter on stamped letterhead (Gostinitsa "Inturist", G. Tbilisi) from Marvin C. Ross to Mildred Bliss and Robert Woods Bliss telling them he wished that they could have been with him when after a four days struggle they opened the vault for me in Kiev. Such a treasure of beautiful objects, a diodem, necklaces, earrings, encolpia, etc. in gold, silver and enamel. He says they would have loved them as I did. Marvin was also startled to find two other pendants (enameled) like the...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Marvin C. Ross to Mildred Bliss reporting that her enamal of St. Demetrius is pure joy to him. He thinks it is one of the most beautiful things in the world! He tells Mildred that she and her husband, Robert Woods Bliss are conoiseurs and how wonderful of them to have brought such an exquisite thing to America. Mildred's ears must have been burning recently as so many fine things have been said about you and Dumbarton Oaks by visitors, Mary Churchill Humphrey from...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Marvin C. Ross to Mildred Bliss and Robert Woods Bliss telling them that his article on the bowl in serpentine carved with a figure of St. Demetrius, one of the finest treasures in San Marco, [Venice, Italy] has been published, and he wants them to have his first copy. He says he is pleased for the [Dumbarton Oaks] Collection that the new gold treasure is in it. "It is far more important than the Mersin treasure ... Dumbarton Oaks excels The Hermitage in this...

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Handwritten letter from Marvin C. Ross to Robert and Mildred Bliss telling them he is so excited to hear what they found in Switzerland and whether you were able to do anything with Juritsky. He reports that three days in London were important for the catalogue as well as the enamel and future plans.