Havey, Ruth M., 1899-1980

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Letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss tells her she has gathered paving material for the Arbor Terrace, Byzantine Garden, and Melisande's Allee. She left samples with Matthew Kearney, and has copious notes to review with Mildred Bliss when she has time.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss sends her contract agreement from G. Morris Steinbraker for construction of the North Vista finials and consoles. The model is stored at the Dumbarton Oaks Fellows' Quarters pending delivery of the limestone. When cutting begins the Aquarius finial will also be cut and intermediate capping under the rail will also be done. Contract agreement signed by G. Morris Steinbraker and Ruth Havey on behalf of Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss. Letter dated...

Scope and Contents: Handsigned typescript letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss. Ruth Havey informs Mildred Bliss that she sent by first class mail special delivery two full size dummies for the Latin inscription which will fit in the panel between the piers and between the capping and base of the parapet. The dummy marked "A" is cut in limestone and the dummy marked "B" is cut in a panel of finer grained stone such as marble or slate. She is sending with this letter but no longer with letter, an alternative...

Scope and Contents: Unsigned copy of typescript letter from Ruth Havey offering Mildred Bliss a group of lightning impressions for the Forsythia gate. She explains they are based upon the latest sketch which Mildred has and incorpoates a broken pediment as she suggested. She is submitting three groups of sketches, one with the pediment broken, one not broken, and a third group compromising by recessing part of the pediment to give the impression of breaking it without actually disturbing the top line. Ruth...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss tells her Beatrix Farrand asked that she send Mildred prints of the museum cortile plans. Havey explains that the plans are in an unfinished state because a recent plan of the cortile which she asked Ralph Bubb to send her seems to indicate that there has been a change in the spacing of the loggia columns so that the side paths do not now center on an opening between two columns. "It seems best to verify this before the drawings are...

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Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss tells her she has a new suggestion for the North Vista if the walls are to stay. She will get it down on paper tomorrow.

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Handsigned typescript letter on Beatrix Farrand office embossed letterhead sent from Ruth Havey, assistant to Beatrix Farrand, to Dorothy Kingsford, secretary to Mildred Bliss, thanking her for the information on the inscription regarding the type of stone to be used and informing her that she has not yet received the corrected designs for the consoles in the gallery.

At bottom left is RMH.DS indicating it was typed by someone other than Ruth Havey.

Scope and Contents: Handsigned typescript letter sent by Ruth Havey, assistant to Beatrix Farrand on Beatrix Farrand's office embossed letterhead. Ruth Havey states to Dorothy Kingsford, secretary to Mildred Bliss that the dummies arrived. She will make the suggested changes and mail the drawing special delivery to Mildred Bliss. She assumes Mrs. Bliss wishes to use Oak leaves rather than Anchantus based on a conversation she had with her during a recent visit. At lower left, RMH.DS indicating that someone...

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Handsigned typescript letter on Beatrix Farrand office embossed letterhead. Ruth Havey, assistant to Beatrix Farrand, lets Dorothy Kingsford, secretary to Mildred Bliss, know that the corrected designs for the console in the gallery mentioned in the November 16 letter have not arrived. At lower right is RMH.DS indicating that someone other than Ruth Havey typed the letter.

Scope and Contents: Handsigned typescript letter from Ruth Havey, Assistant to Beatrix Farrand on embossed Beatrix Farrand New York City office letterhead to Dorothy Kingsford, secretary for Mildred Bliss, Dumbarton Oaks. Ruth Havey feels Gisela Richter was not frank with Mildred Bliss about the problems with the Greek inscription for the panel dedicated to Beatrix Farrand in the Dumbarton Oaks Green Garden. She tells of her distress that the inscription as it is does not express the thoughts that Mildred Bliss...

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Handsigned typescript letter from Ruth Havey, Assistant to Beatrix Farrand on embossed Beatrix Farrand office letterhead to Dorothy Kingsford, secretary to Mildred Bliss. Ruth Havey mentions she has conferenced with Miss Marjorie Milne about the inscription for the panel dedicated to Beatrix Farrand in the Dumbarton Oaks Green Garden and offers another suggestion for the inscription. Enclosed is a handwritten Greek translation of the inscription.

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Handwritten and handsigned letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss discussing the inscription dedicated to Beatrix Farrand for the panel in the Dumbarton Oaks Green Garden. She says that even though Miss [Anne] Baker had told Mildred Bliss that Ruth was going to take a holiday, she would be willing to postpone her vacation until the dedication inscription was completed.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature on Beatrix Farrand's New York office letterhead. Ruth Havey, assistant to Mrs. Beatrix Farrand, informs Mildred Bliss that she is working with Miss Gisela Richter [from The Metropolitan Museum of Art] and Miss Miln on the Greek inscription [for the panel in the Dumbarton Oaks Green Garden dedicated to Beatrix Farrand]. She relays that Miss Richter is troubled by the meaning of some of the Greek words in the inscription as they may express a...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss offers her a report on work for the Garden Library. The brick has been selected, the ramp step and edging has been modeled in clay, Frank is cutting the limestone, and the brick walks have been located on the ground and concrete foundations in place for steps and edges. She includes a list of finished work that is shown on photographs which are no longer with letter. The Mediterranean Highway is being prepared for...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss informs her William Hughes has the Box Terrace construction well in hand for completion before the Symposium. G. Frederick Coles plans to set the North Court consoles; is going ahead with the lotus panel in the Arbor Terrace and the framework for the Perspective lattice near the Lilac Circle. Havey is returning to New York, but will returning to Washington, D.C. mid-April depending on the work completed by William Hughes. Everett Lank is...

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Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss tells her she took a break to be with a dying friend. She will be back in the office soon and offers her contact information if Mildred Bliss needs it. She expects to send the console drawings next week.

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Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss reports on North Vista projects ready for construction contracts and final criticism: North Bay steps, consoles and North Court wall at house, gate finials, and consoles at North and South end of Cedar Terrace. After a meeting with Mr. Finelli, changes to the R Street gates are being made. She is sharing the Folio Room with Professor Albert M. Friend and Mr. Luciani is working in Matthew Kearney's office.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss reports that she accepted the Romborg [McLeod and Romberg Stone Co.] estimate for the Doria cub and crab orchard steps ifor $18,944. It is the lowest she could get for the quality of work and material she is asking for and the limiatation on time. She went over the figures with Mr. McLeish [McLeod and Romberg Stone Co.]. Havey asked Mr. Lank to put aside work on the Bosquet seat and Didymus seat to concentrate on boxes for the shrubs [for...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss telling her that the "vision of loveliness" she wanted in the Arbor Terrace will be there with a few weeks to spare. The foundation for the scrolls is in and the general proportions promist to work out well; the drainage and grading are on pace; the shop drawings are finished; the Doria is to arrive; and the shop is cleared to start cutting. The planting has been mapped and Mr. Kearney will travel somewhere south of her to locate it. Havey...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss reporting the completion of the Arbor Terrace and is curious to know what Mildred thinks of it when she sees it. Havey reports she is going on a holiday for three weeks. She tells Mildred the rail at the swimming pool steps is in; the R Street gates have their gold leaf, the Box Terrace gravel has been changed to a darker color and little stones under the seat at the south end. The seat in the Bosquet and the Didymus seat are under...

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Handwritten and handsigned letter on Beatrix Farrand letterhead from Ruth Havey returning a received letter and response to Dorothy Kingsford, secretary for Mildred Bliss asking for Mildred Bliss to clarify a Greek letter for the Beatrix Farrand inscription in the Green Garden. She suggests that Arabic numerals might better suit the inscription panel as the proper names on the inscription are in English. She thanks Mildred Bliss for the Christmas wishes.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature by Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss discusses having plan A and B probably for the North Vista garden area. She reports Mr. Patterson did not notify her that the foundation had been poured knowing that she was going ahead with drawings that would alter its location. She thinks Patterson attached no importance to it being underground. She is enclosing both schemes. Plan B was pretty well along and if Mildred wants to follow Plan A, she will draw up some...

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Handwritten and handsigned letter on Beatrix Farrand's New York letterhead. On behalf of Beatrix Farrand, Ruth Havey is sending photostats of lettering designs for Mrs. Mildred Bliss' consideration.

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss asks if she can borrow the book of small photographs that have been taken from time to time on the Tennis Court parterre. It has various dummies that have been tried. Mr. Matthews has the best stones available and Havey says she wants to keep him happy.

Scope and Contents: Unsigned copy of typescript letter from Ruth M. Havey to Mildred Bliss reporting that Beatrix Farrand critized a certain Forsythia Gate sketch when she was in New York on November 21st. Ruth was asked to draw it up and send it to Mildred Bliss with the request that this and the sketches of November 15th of the Forsythia gate and Green Garden lantern be sent to Beatrix Farrand in California after Mildred has had the chance to look them over. Beatrix Farrand also went over the Herb Garden...