Bliss, Robert Woods, 1875-1962

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with signature by Anne Sweeney on behalf of Mildred Bliss to Beatrix Farrand reponds to Farrand letters. Pages 2 and 3 appear to be lacking. Mildred tells Beatrix to acknowledge the Alliums from Harry Du Pont (Henry Francis Du Pont). She remarks on the tragedy of losing Mr. Yew, but hoping a fragment of his can be grown in the nursery. Mildred thanks Beatrix for her assistance with Santa Barbara Botanic Garden matters. She congratulates Max on the launching of the Friends...

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Copy of typescript letter from Mildred Bliss to Alberta S. Carpenter, secretary at Dumbarton Oaks tells her the Blisses look forward to seeing John Thacher in Paris. Mildred sends enclosed letters to Annie and Mosser. Mr. Ellis Russell is going to let Carpenter know when the security storage will delivere the bamboo tables and chairs. Mildred reports receiving a letter from Ethel Clark about the hot weather.

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Mildred Bliss to Father Francis Dvornik tells him it was nice to receive his letter which followed her and Robert Woods Bliss about Europe for a few weeks. They had hoped to find Dvornik in London, but were told he would not be returning until the day they leave for France. She thinks Dvornik will reach Dumbarton Oaks before they do because they sail home on October 21st. They note what Dvornik wrote with great interest and look forward to a thorough talk with...

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Copy of typescript letter from Mildred Bliss to Richard H. Bassett tells him after consultation with John Thacher, she and Robert Bliss would like to make a monthly contribution to the "Contingency Fund" for Barbara.

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Typescript and handwritten letter signed by Mildred Bliss to Beatrix Farrand (Trix). Date of letter is uncertain, but it was created after Lucie Howe Draper Schelling's death, February 4, 1938 as it is discussed in the letter. Mildred mentions the grief felt by Ernest Schelling, Lucie's husband. She also mentions to Beatrix Farrand, Sumner Welles may be interested in Edith Wharton's letters.

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Handwritten letter from Mildred Bliss to Mrs. Farrand/Trix [Beatrix Farrand]. Mildred Bliss tells her about her upcoming schedule and mentions Nadia Boulanger, Ernest [Schelling], Bertie Wright's daughter, and Royall Tyler. Letter has a date in it of June 27, this letter probably written in 1938 based on other correspondence with similar topics of conversation.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Mrs. Edward Allen (Hazel R. Allen) to Mildred Bliss tells her that one of the highlights of her time in Washington was the courtesy extended to the members of the Scientific Congress at American Law Institute to visit the Dumbarton Oaks gardens and home. It was gracious for Mildred Bliss to open her gardens and home for many to enjoy and carry away a vision of such beauty and such delightful hospitality. Allen reports her husband is a member of both the Congress and...

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Handwritten letter from Mrs. Joseph R. Lyddane (Alton Lyddane) to Robert and Mildred Bliss thanks them for the donation of 100 Forsythia plants for the Francis Scott Key school.

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Handwritten letter from Mrs. Joseph R. Lyddane (Alton Lyddane) to Robert Woods Bliss asks if he would be willing to donate Forsythia sprouts from the Dumbarton Oaks garden to the Francis Scott Key School, in Potomac Heights, D.C.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Nellie Rogers [Mrs. Francis Stetson Rogers] to Mildred Bliss acknowledges that Mildred has a million things on her mind. "I [Rogers] went down to address the W.O.S.L. [Women's Overseas Service League] Convention on Wednesday morning about this women's division of the National Security League, which General Bullard has asked me to head up. I flew down late on Tuesday after a very busy day in New York and got to the Wardman Park Hotel, the Washington headquarters,...

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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 with handwritten signature from Newton B. Drury, Director, National Park Service to Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss states his appreciation for their generosity in giving Dunbarton [Dumbarton] Oaks Park to the nation. He remembers a pleasant meeting with Mr. Bliss at a National Parks Association dinner before he received his appointment as Director. He expects to be in Washington for the next few months and plans to call on them some time soon. He has reviewed the...

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Original and duplicate typescript letter with handwritten signature from Paul J. Sachs to Beatrix Farrand informs her of the Corporation of Harvard's appointment of an Administrative Committee [Dumbarton Oaks Administrative Committee] to administer Dumbarton Oaks' matters and expresses his desire that Beatrix Farrand continue to remain involved in the gardens. Paul J. Sachs wonders if she might meet with John Thacher either in Washington, D.C. or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Rachel Young La Follette [Mrs. Robert M. La Follette] to Mildred Bliss telling her that the garden party was very lovely, and La Follette is sorry that Robert La Follette was unable to enjoy it also. During the party she wanted to take a moment to thank her for Mildred's kindess to La Follette's sister Matilda Young who is acting as secretary for the Film Society of Washington. Mildred has been so very helpful to her in the organization. Young felt Mildred was under...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter from R.B. Farnham, executive secretary from the Horticultural Society of New York to Miildred Bliss tells her there are 94 individuals registered to tour gardens for the upcoming weekend of which Dumbarton Oaks is one of the gardens. He encloses six copies of the schedule and the Horticultural Society Guide leaflet commenting on the gardens. He mentions a change in the schedule with visits to Dumbarton Oaks and Hillwood to be reversed to take advantage of a luncheon...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Robert Woods Bliss to Barbara Sessions, Librarian at Dumbarton Oaks, sharing his and Mildred Bliss' distress that Barbara needed to go to the hospital after arriving in Claremont, New Hampshire. He expresses their concern was lessened after hearing she had been out and about. They hope to receive glowing accounts of her "diggings" and to learn that the change of scene and air was beneficial. He mentions that during a recent meeting of the Administrative...

Scope and Contents: Handsigned typescript letter from Robert Woods Bliss to Trix [Beatrix Farrand] sending a letter received from [Philip] Lucking [at Casa Dorinda, Santa Barbara, California] about the Marra situation. He says he encloses a copy of his answer to Lucking. Robert tells Beatrix Farrand that in his response to Lucking he that he and Mildred Bliss have left the decision to employ another man up to Beatrix Farrand. Robert Bliss questions whether it is necessary to replace someone while Lucking has...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Robert Woods Bliss to C. Waller Barrett tells him he is sending the three books selected for the Grolier Club's Collector's Choice exhibition by railway express hoping they will be delivered on Monday.

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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.

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Robert Woods Bliss to Max Farrand tells him that Mildred is delighted to have him use her name on the Friends of the Huntington Library invitation. Her name is to be included as of New York and be written "Mildred Bliss" not "Mildred Barnes Bliss". Robert asks Max to send him a Friend of the Huntington Library notice when it goes out so he may become a friend. He sends affectionate good wishes to Max and hopes that 1939 will give them the opportunity of seeing...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Robert Woods Bliss to Max Farrand advises him on Mr. [C.H. Collins] Baker's daughter, [Phyllis Baker] travel to the United States. He offers his understanding of the British quota for visas and the proof needed for a visa to come to the United States. He adds "Let me add that nothing can be done in this country to facilitate the applications of foreigners coming to the United States; the whole matter is in the hands of our consular representatives abroad." He...

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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Copy of typescript letter from Robert Woods Bliss to The Grolier Club encloses the descriptions of three books to be considered for the Collector's Choice exhibition. The books are co-owned by Robert and Mildred Bliss and currently in the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Founders' Room.

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Copy of typescript letter from the secretary to Robert Woods Bliss to Laura Mae Andress thanks her on his behalf for the copy of her poem on "Aquarius" which she so kindly sent him and tells her that he and Mrs. [Mildred] Bliss are very happy she enjoyed her visit of the garden of Dumbarton Oaks.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Roger Hinks to Mildred Bliss tells her how much he enjoyed coming to tea with her the other day, and particularly how agreeable he found their table alone together after Mildred's charming guests had gone. He is still pondering on the question of porphyry and alabaster; and he still inclines to alabaster because of the half-hidden fractures the translucent surface it reveals. "But she is not made to be propped up on a cushion in a favourite chair for months at a time,...