Bliss, Robert Woods, 1875-1962

Scope and Contents:

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

Scope and Contents:

Handwritten letter in French from Boris Ermolov to Mildred Bliss.

Scope and Contents:

Typescript letter in French with handwritten signature from Boris Ermolov to Mildred Bliss thanks her for the beautiful postcard. He mentions he had received a letter from her for John Thacher which he will give him when he arrives to examine the Byzantine jewelry. A small crystal vase will be on exhibit at the Gotham Hotel on Fifth Avenue from November 4-14, so perhaps John Thacher can see it there.

Scope and Contents:

Handwritten letter from a an unknown correspondence from Harvard University, Department of Government to Robert and Mildred Bliss thanks them for the Dvornik book, "The Making of Central and Eastern Europe". He will put the book to immedite use in his seminar."Hopper" written in pencil at top of first leaf and refers to Bruce Hopper, professor of government at Harvard University. Written below letterhead, "3 Craigie Circle" which probably is his personal address.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from C. Stuart Gager, Director of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to Mildred Bliss tells her it gave him much pleasure for Mrs. Gager and him to meet Mildred at Dumbarton Oaks and see "your beautiful plantations." While walking about in the gardens with Bryce [James Bryce] it occurred to him that a name that applies to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden would also apply to Dumbarton Oaks, "Gardens within a Garden." It was not only a pleasure to see this...

Scope and Contents:

Typescript letter with signature from C. Waller Barrett asking Grolier Club members if they want to submit their rare books, prints, letters, and manuscripts of literary, artistic or historical interest to be a part of the final exhibition, Collector's Choice. Letter was probably intended for either Robert Woods Bliss as a member of the Club.

Scope and Contents:

Typescript letter with signature from C. Waller Barrett to Robert Woods Bliss acknowledges receipt of material on loan for the Collector's Choice exhibition at the Grolier Club from April 27-June 1, 1954. The material will be returned by June 15.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Caryl Crawford Hickory to Mildred Bliss thanks her for the delightful swim yesterday afternoon. "We both enjoyed it so much." Hickory also thanks her for the mental picture which will hang in the "memory gallery". "Where ever we are in some unpleasant spot, I can now close my eyes and feel again the delicious smooth water, as we floated lazily on one's back and idly turned one's head to face one enchanting spot after another. To see the vista up the 'Scala della...

Scope and Contents:

Typescript letter with handwritten signature from the C.F. Palmstierna, Private Secretary to His Majesty the King of Sweden (Gustav VI Adolf) to Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss. He thanks the Blisses on behalf of the King for sending him the "beautiful book, Dumbarton Oaks Papers number six which His Majesty is studying with keen interest." A handwritten postscript tells them it was a pleasure to meet them in Sweden last Autumn.

Scope and Contents:

Handwritten letter from Cornelia Knox Kean to Mildred Bliss thanks her for sharing her gardens with many people. She comments that it was particularly beautiful this year. She thanks Mildred Bliss for the generous help she has given to the Georgetown Flower Show. William Gray's assistance will relieve the burden and make it "lovlier than it has ever been". She offers remembrances to her and Robert Woods Bliss from her and her husband, General Jefferson Randolph Kean.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Cornelia Knox Kean to Mildred Bliss shares with her the last time Cornelia visited her beautiful garden, one of the gardeners was their guide. She thinks his name was Taylor. He showed them many beautiful and interesting things among the miracles there which Mildred have wrought. "I told him of a friend of ours who had built a new garden at her old home in Virginia. He said he would like to know how she "antiqued" the modern bricks, which I described. I send you the...

Scope and Contents:

Typescript letter with handwritten signature from C.T. [Charles Trick] Currelly to Mildred Bliss thanks her and her husband [Robert Woods Bliss] for the enormous pleasure they gave him when he was in Washington. He has been making his friends a vivid green, which is slowly turning to yellow, with descriptions of her garden.

Scope and Contents:

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:

Photocopy of letter from Dorothy Kingsford on behalf of Robert Woods Bliss to Mrs. William Fitch Kelley, President, League of Republican Women tells her the request for the members to use the grounds of Dumbarton Oaks for philanthropic efforts can not be granted. Original letter is with exchange of letters, E8:Kelley 1935.03.22.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Edith Bettinger to Mildred Bliss thanks Mildred for her kindness in allowing Bettinger to take her friend, Mrs. Frothingham of Boston through Mildred's garden [Dumbarton Oaks]. Mrs. Frothingham asked her to extend thanks to Mildred also. She and Mr. Bettinger had taken Captain and Mrs. Frothingham to see some Virginia gardens, and she had assured them that Georgetown offered more beautiful gardens than any seen in Virginia thanks to Mildred and Mr. [Robert Woods]...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Edwin Bergstrom, President, The American Institute of Architects, to Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss offers the appreciation of the 75th Convention of The American Institute of Architects for the Blisses gracious hospitality entertaining the delegates of the Convention and their guests at tea at Dumbarton Oaks, Sunday afternoon, September 24. "The occasion was most enjoyable and in an environment whose beauty made a great appeal to the...

Scope and Contents:

Signed handwritten letter from Elizabeth M. Cornell to Robert and Mildred Bliss thanking them on behalf of the blind people who attended a concert at Dumbarton Oaks. She hopes she may have the privilege of sharing the Henry and Annie Hart Home for the Blind at 3050 R. Street Northwest with them some day.

Scope and Contents: Signed handwritten letter from Elizabeth Peet, Dean of Houses, Gallaudet College, Kendall Green, to Robert and Mildred Bliss thanks them for giving the opportunity for the public to visit the Dumbarton Oaks Gardens. She states "I know the House for Incurables (The Home for the Incurables) will be materially benefitted by your kindness ...." This is probably referring to the opening of the garden to benefit the charity that day. The Blisses opened the Dumbarton Oaks Garden to the public to...

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...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Emmy Wellesz to Mildred Bliss thanks both her and Robert Woods Bliss for a beautiful and thoughtful present and for the charming words by which it was accompanied. She takes the opportunity of telling them how much they both love being at Dumbarton Oaks and with what gratitude they are always thinking of the founders of that unique place. She wishes she could adequately express their joy in the gardens, and how much they are aware of the creative spirit to which its...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Father Francis Dvornik to Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss thanking them for the support they gave during the Symposium and the party at their house at the end of the Symposium. He thanks The Lord for a successful Symposium in spite of the weather. Without them there would not have been a Dumbarton Oaks Research Trust or Symposium. He says the Blisses saw what was needed in this country and The Lord is rewarding them. Their great sacrifice was not in vain. They...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Father Francis Dvornik to Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss tells them he is overwhelmed by their kindness and generosity and offers his thanks for their beautiful Christmas present. He will use it for the first time at his Christmas day Mass, and will say the Mass for both of them and also remember all their dearly departed. He hoped to be able to give them a copy of his new book, "The Slavs, their Early History and Civilization", but printing has been delayed...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Father Francis Dvornik to Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss telling them he takes great pleasure in presenting a copy of his book, "The Making of Central and Eastern Europe" published recently in London. In the introduction and the final chapters, they will find are other proof of the importance of Byzantine history for a proper understanding of the twelfth centuries, so vital for the development of Germany, of Central Europe, and of Russia, has been misrepresented...

Scope and Contents:

Handwritten letter from Father Francis Dvornik to Robert and Mildred Bliss send his latest publication, "Slavs,Their Early History and Civilization" published by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts as an early Christmas present. He is in Cambridge teaching a course based on the publication. He looks forward to seeing them again at Dumbarton Oaks.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Father Francis Dvornik to Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Bliss reports that the lectures he gave at the University of London and the University of Paris were a "great success". He is pleased to tell that he was able to hold the flag of true scholarship and of Dumbarton Oaks, in particular, very high. He was surprised to find so many people interested in his research. He will return to the U.S. as a convinced and fervent American patriot. He is defending the U.S. where...