Bliss, Robert Woods, 1875-1962

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher acknowledges the receipt of a check for her professional services. She is happy that he had a short holiday and conversation with Lewis Delafield. She discusses his entrance into the Naval Reserves; the damage of the Dumbarton Oaks grounds due to concerts; the oak that died on the South Lawn; lack of decision from the National Gallery [of Art] about flower bulbs; her visit to Dumbarton Oaks in September; and...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher tells him she sent James Bryce and the bulb dealer an air mail letter about the National Gallery [of Art] not needing flower bulbs. Farrand wants to know from Bryce what plant needs the Blisses will have next winter and what will be the financial arrangement buying and growing them. Farrand is not mourning over the departed red oak tree as she never liked it.

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher thanks him for giving the all clear to order plants for Robert and Mildred Bliss. She wonders if the brookside has submerged in mud due to all the rain. She feels he has been a "wise young judge" as executive officer of Dumbarton Oaks.

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher shares telegram response from Robert and Mildred Bliss about the museum and historic tablets. She is writing Ruth Havey to share their response and schedule a time to discuss it further at Reef Point.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher tells him of her travel plans to Dumbarton Oaks, and asks if it is convenient for her to stay in the "sky apartment". She thinks it might be sensible to ask Ruth Havey to come to Washington and will ask if James Bryce and his wife can offer her a room. The agenda for the visit will include further designing North Vista and the Herbaceous Border walls. She thinks Robert and Mildred Bliss will need to address the...

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...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher suggests signs of "private garden" rather than "no admittance" be used for areas of the Dumbarton Oaks that the public is prohibted to go. She asks if there is any news on the health of Barbara Session and discusses her compensation from Dumbarton Oaks. She reports a letter from Lawrence Morris arrived, and asks if there is any further developments for Robert and Mildred Bliss. She is writing the Blisses about...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher explains her half-yearly statements for the Beatrix Farrand, Agent accounts for the period of January 1, 1941 to June 30, 1941. That account is for seeds and flowers for the Dumbarton Oaks garden. She also reviews what is covered under her professional services. She and Max Farrand will be in Boston for a week or more, but Isabelle Stover will know where she is.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses her letter of the previous day, sent before she had "properly digested" a letter from Ellis Russell that had enclosed a letter from John Thacher. Beatrix Farrand expresses support of the continued employment of previously-held gardeners, of Anne Sweeney, and all of the help. She mentions Mildred Bliss's desire of an Advisory Committee being formed so that she may maintain some control over the garden...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher in response to his letter of August 4 (D:JT 1941.08.04) confirms financial details regarding Beatrix Farrand's Agent account and the contributions from Mildred Bliss, Beatrix Farrand, savings form James Bryce's garden budget, and Dumbarton Oaks as coverage for Anne Sweeney's salary. Beatrix Farrand suggests that the ill health of her husband, Max Farrand, could delay a planned visit from Anne Sweeney to Bar...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher requesting his review and comments on an attached report on the Dumbarton Oaks grounds policy. In the report, Beatrix Farrand provides her insight as to how Harvard University could adapt the Dumbarton Oaks gardens over time to better fit the institution's educational purposes. The report suggests the creation of a plant record book for Dumbarton Oaks [Beatrix Farrand's Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks] to provide...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher. Signature likely that of Isabelle Stover, secretary on behalf of Beatrix Farrand. Farrand discusses the cutting of the museum tablet inscription approved by Robert Woods Bliss; estimates for Mildred Bliss for the monogram at the Forsythia gate; propping of lead roof at the seat near the Terrior Column; stucco wall at the end of Melissande Allee; and a few others. She tells him she will return to Washington,...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Mildred Bliss tells her she heard Mildred is staying in Washington, D.C. to finish the finisl work on the museum rather than go to California with Robert Woods Bliss. Max Farrand is improving after his surgery on the infetion, but it is slow. She asks if Mildred has heard anything from Royall and Elisina [Tyler]. Farrand thinks their home, Antigny, must be in the occupied zone and now abandoned. She wonders if Elisina will return to Italy or...

Scope and Contents: Unsigned copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand with the salutation "Dearest two" but addressed to Mildred Bliss. The salutation most likely refers to both Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss. If she gets done in Princeton late Tuesday [October 26 she asks if it would be better to arrive Tuesday night [October 26] or Wednesday [October 27] after lunch allowing the housekeeping more time after the departure of the wedding guests.She reports she will come East after Christmas...

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Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Mildred Bliss tells her James Bryce is grateful to them and Dumbarton Oaks for the recent raise. She reports Max Farrand had an infection that was operated on in Boston, and he is feeling more comfortable. She asks if the Blisses are going West [to Santa Barbara] or whether Dumbarton Oaks work will keep them in Washington, D.C.

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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.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to Paul Sachs requesting his review and comments on an attached report on the Dumbarton Oaks grounds policy. In the report, Beatrix Farrand provides her insight as to how Harvard University could adapt the Dumbarton Oaks gardens over time to better fit the institution's educational purposes. The report suggests the creation of a plant record book for Dumbarton Oaks [Beatrix Farrand's Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks] to provide...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher acknowledges receipt of his letter (D:JT 1941.12.09) regarding closing the greenhouses to conserve during World War II. She asks for more time to think over the matter. She sends along news of Robert Bliss and Mildred Bliss, and her husband, Max Farrand's health. Letter signed by Beatrix Farrand's secretary (probably Isabelle M. Stover) on her behalf.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher accompanies a gift copy of Beatrix Farrand's mother's book, "Lantern Slides." Beatrix Farrand reiterates topics mentioned in her earlier letter (D:BF 1941.12.13), such as the well-being of Robert and Mildred Bliss and her uncertainty about closing the greenhouses. She inquires whether the Bliss' contribution towards Anne Sweeney's salary had arrived and ends the letter by including a final copy of the "D.O."...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Dorothy Kingsford. Beatrix Farrand and her secretary's initials are in lower left corner. Beatrix Farrand kept copies of Mrs. Ogdan Reid's correspondence to Mildred Bliss but is returning the originals. Farrand comments on Reid's gardener, Edwin Beckett. Beatrix Farrand asks Dorothy Kingsford if Mrs. Reid has a price for the bulbs she is offering. If the price of the bulbs is not too great, buying 6 or 8 pots may be of interest to Mildred...

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Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to James Bryce discusses big trumpet bulbs from Jan de Graaff (Oregon Bulb Farms) for the National Gallery of Art, Dumbarton Oaks Park negotiations, and Ruth Havey's visit which included a review of the design for the two tablet inscriptions

Scope and Contents: Copy of letter from Beatrix Farrand to Jan de Graaff, Oregon Bulb Farms discusses trumpet daffofil bulbs for the National Gallery of Art, flower bulbs for James Bryce at Dumbarton Oaks which may also be for Robert and Mildred Bliss, daffodil bulbs for the cottage at Santa Barbara where she and Max Farrand will be at for the winter, and daffodil and iris bulbs at Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine. While other universities are cutting back on bulb orders, the ones Beatrix Farrand is working with...