Patterson, Robert W., 1905-1988

Scope and Contents: Architectural drawings, surveys, and sketches for the Dumbarton Oaks Garden. The bulk of the drawings were created by Beatrix Farrand, landscape gardener, or the landscape architects who worked for her. One of her landscape architects was Ruth Havey, who carried on the work of the garden with Mildred Bliss once Beatrix Farrand retired. Other landscape architects included Alden Hopkins, Robert Patterson, and Ralph Griswold. There were numerous other contractors and artisans who contributed to...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript memoranda for the recording of plants, shrubs, flowers, etc. on index cards in the Dumbarton Oaks Garden Office. All specimens should be listed and copied with one copy sent to Matthew Kearney. The plant filing cards should include origin of plants, time of purchase, where it was purchased, time of planting, annual growth, and location. Any specimens not identified should be sent to the Arnold Arboretum for identification. A file drawer is to be ordered for plans coming...

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Handsigned typescript expense report from Beatrix Farrand to Dumbarton Oaks, January 1, 1948 to June 30, 1948 lists fees for office professional services such as suggestions to Anne Sweeney; consultations with Robert Patterson and John Thacher; and correspondence. Included is a fee for the office expense for a share of the secretary's time.

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Handsigned expense report from Beatrix Farrand to Dumbarton Oaks, July 1, 1947 to December 31, 1947 for professional office services such as consultations with John Thacher at Reef Point and in Boston, Massachusetts and talks with Robert Patterson; office expenses including a share of the secretary's time and bookkeeping; and balances remaining in the Beatrix Farrand, Agent and Dumbarton Oaks book account.

Scope and Contents: Handsigned typescript expense report for January 1, 1946 to June 30, 1946 from Beatrix Farrand to Harvard University (Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection) for expenses incurred by Beatrix Farrand and Robert W. Patterson for professional services, traveling expenses, and office expenses. Included on report is the amount that Beatrix Farrand will hold in reserve for professional work in her account and a report for the "Book account" for Miss Sweeney listing charges from three...

Scope and Contents: Expense report from Beatrix Farrand to Harvard University (Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection), July 1, 1946 to December 31, 1946. The report lists charges for professional and office expenses. It includes a paid receipt for tulip, hyacinth, iris, and narcissus bulbs from various nurseries and the associated the shipping costs for Dumbarton Oaks. Receipt signed by Isabelle M. Stover on behalf of Beatrix Farrand. The report also includes a charge for the purchase of a book for the...

Scope and Contents: Handsigned typescript expense report from Beatrix Farrand to Dumbarton Oaks, July 1, 1948 to December 31, 1948 lists fees for office professional services such as Anne Sweeney's visit to Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine, counseling on the cataloging and collation of books, and consultations with Robert Patterson. Included is a fee for an office expense for a secretary's time. On first page written in pencil, "Balance $256.52" for the Beatrix Farrand account. Second page lists balance on hand as...

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Original sheet with information concerning bulb prices for Dumbarton Oaks for 1945 purchased by James Bryce and 1946 purchased by Beatrix Farrand and the realized savings to Dumbarton Oaks in 1946. A carbon copy sheet has similar information, but with the title "For B.F. and Patterson information concerning bulbs for D.O. for 1945-1946.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Alden Hopkins to the members of the Dumbarton Oaks Garden Advisory Committee, Michael Rapuano, Robert Patterson, Bradford Williams, Leon Zach and the Dumbarton Oaks Director, John Thacher. He encloses two blackline prints covering the reconstruction of the Camellia Garden (96-03, revised 1-13-[19]59) and the completion of the new planting of the Ellipse (96-07, revised 1-15-[19]59). G. Morris Steinbraker & Son of Georgetown provided an...

Scope and Contents: The Dumbarton Oaks Garden Archives is a collection of over 6278 individual items of textual materials, drawings, and photographs that document the creation and development of the Dumbarton Oaks Garden, Washington, D.C. between 1920-1979. Robert Bliss and Mildred Barnes Bliss purchased the 53 acre property in 1920 known as "The Oaks" and later as Dumbarton Oaks, and within a year they hired Beatrix Farrand, a landscape gardener, to design a garden for the property that combined French,...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand telling her he just returned from a 10 absence to Cambridge [Massachusetts] and New York. He instructs her to use up the balance in the Agent's account which was held in reserve from last year's budget. Beatrix would still be due $5.00 which he will send on to her. Robert Patterson sent a bill for his service from July 1-December 31, 1946 and Thacher will pay it out of the "Consulting Landscape Gardeners" budget which covers...

Scope and Contents: The Dumbarton Oaks Garden Archives is a collection of over 6278 individual items of textual materials, drawings, and photographs that document the creation and development of the Dumbarton Oaks Garden, Washington, D.C. between 1920-1979. Robert Bliss and Mildred Barnes Bliss purchased the 53 acre property in 1920 known as "The Oaks" and later as Dumbarton Oaks, and within a year they hired Beatrix Farrand, a landscape gardener, to design a garden for the property that combined French,...

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Copy of typescript letter from Ruth M. Havey to Robert W. Patterson tells him she sent plans for the North Vista, but says she has a different understanding from the Dumbarton Oaks meeting than he does. She prepared the plans, but does not subscribe to them. She will also bring other sketches that Mildred Bliss and John Thacher may be interested in reviewing. She asks for a monthly budgeted amount for the project. She is also sending plans to Thacher and Mrs. Bliss.

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Unsigned typescript letter probably from Robert Patterson to James Bryce discussing bulb orders for the Dumbarton Oaks Garden areas: Herbaceous Border and Fountain Terrace. He asks for an immediate reply from Bryce to bulb questions and a later response about the planting of shrubs.

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...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss reports the moulded capping below the rail at the North Vista was sent to Mr. Steinbraker. She sent Mr. Kearney a copy of the enclosed letter to Steinbraker so that he can be ready to grade up to it inside the wall. Havey acknowledges Mildred's message that the chains had not arrived and sent on to Mr. Patterson. He wished to place the order for the chains and she does not know what arrangements he has made. She...

Scope and Contents: Typescript handsigned letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss offering the Dumbarton Oaks Agenda on the status of work at Dumbarton Oaks on the Finalities, Terrior [Column and Enclosure] wood seat and landscaping; North Vista finials wall chains; and north end; Arbor Garden wall panels, paving and sundial; Melisande Steps; and Perspective.Havey discusses the numbering and filing of drawings indicating that she is using the continuation of the system used in the Bar Harbor files...

Scope and Contents: Typescript handsigned letter from Ruth M. Havey to Mildred Bliss in care of Ellis Russell, secretary. Havey discusses sending a black folder that contains the August Agenda (accession number K:RH 1949.08.02) with notes on projects in various garden areas to be worked on. The projects include: Arbor Garden (Arbor Terrace) paving and wall panels, woven fabric design for the Founders’ Room, and Mr. Steinbraker’s plan for the Garden Center (Cool House) and his estimates for various pieces of...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss discusses having difficulty with setting the rail outside the console walls for an exit in the North Vista. She reports exploring dozens of possibilities to make it work, but it seems hopeless. She is concerned about the delay it is causing to the rest of the plans. Havey reports on the details of the problem and possible solution. She asks Mildred if there is any possibility of pointing out to Mr. Thacher and Mr....

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Created either by Beatrix Farrand or Robert Patterson of list of possible omissions from Dumbarton Oaks greenhouse seed order for 1943 with instructions for James Bryce to mark which ones he wants inlcuded in the orders.

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Copy of typescript memo to Robert Patterson probably from Beatrix Farrand concerning James Bryce's letter of June 23, 1947. She explains all the changes to bulb orders for the Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C. She offers a suggestion for the bulbs for Mildred Bliss. Also included is a tape from an acccounting machine.

Scope and Contents: Correspondence between Anne Sweeney and organizations related to opening and publicity of the Dumbarton Oaks, Garden Guide Service. The Garden Guide Service offered tours of the Dumbarton Oaks Garden every Saturday and Sunday and on appointment, beginning in 1941. Also includes letters between Anne Sweeney and Robert W. Patterson discussing the Dumbarton Oaks Garden Guide Service, the Garden Center plans for the Cool House, and the Catalogue House project to educate garden visitors on...

Scope and Contents: Handsigned revised expense report from Beatrix Farrand to Harvard University, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, January 1, 1947 to June 30, 1947 for professional services such as office correspondence with John Thacher, James Patterson, Mildred Bliss, Anne Sweeney, and James Bryce; work on garden control notes (planting record book); and bulb orders, and office expenses for a secretary's time, telegrams, telephone and bookkeeping. Report includes an itemized list of expenses...

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Correspondence chiefly between Robert W. Patterson, consulting landscape architecture of Dumbarton Oaks and Mildred Bliss discussing Dumbarton Oaks Garden projects. One correspondence is from Mrs. Francis B. Crowninshield relating a meeting with Robert W. Patterson. Also included is an unsent picture postcard with a photograph of the Dumbarton Oaks Herbaceous Border printed on it and a list of individuals who submitted for Dumbarton Oaks Garden Scholarships in 1959.

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Typescript list of roses to order from Joseph Breck & Sons and Bobbink & Atkins for Dumbarton Oaks for early March delivery, 1947. List possibly created by Beatrix Farrand for Robert Patterson as she ordered much of the plant material for Dumbarton Oaks. A handwritten note was added probably by Robert Patterson that he was unable to reach Beatrix Farrand? by telephone and asks if these roses can be ordered.