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Dumbarton Oaks Garden, Dumbarton Oaks Park

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
Sub-Series — Folder 13Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001
Scope and Contents: Thirty-seven black and white photographs, 2 color photographs, and a collection of photographs with drawings and notes of the Dumbarton Oaks Park which refers to the 27-acre parcel of land that Robert and Mildred Bliss donated to the National Park Service in 1940. The acreage is now considered a part of Rock Creek Park.When it was part of the Bliss estate, the park belonged to Beatrix Farrand’s garden design. It served as a rustic counterpoint to the complex and formal garden...

Dumbarton Oaks Garden, East Lawn

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
Sub-Series — Folder 14Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001
Scope and Contents: Twenty black and white photographs and 5 color photographs of the Dumbarton Oaks Garden, East Lawn is an unbroken expanse of grass stretching from the entrance of the house southeast to the R Street wall.In her Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks, Beatrix Farrand, landscape gardener called the East Lawn “one of the loveliest of the features of Dumbarton Oaks in its freedom from detail” (p. 20). To frame the open lawn, Farrand planned perimeter plantings chosen for their size and...

Dumbarton Oaks Garden, Fellows' Quarters and Yard

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
Sub-Series — Folder 16Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001
Scope and Contents: Photographs of the Dumbarton Oaks property taken between 1920 when Mildred and Robert Bliss bought the estate property and 1979 including and beyond when it was donated to Harvard University in 1940. The early photographs from approximately 1920-1949 are in black and white. Later photographs from approximately 1950-1979 are in color.Those that photographed the Dumbarton Oaks Garden included Stewart Bros. Photographer (Washington, D.C.); Ursula Pariser, Dumbarton Oaks staff...

Exchange of letters between Arline B. Newcomb, 800 Academy Street, Kelso, Washington and Anne Sweeney, December 9- 29, 1944 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box E, Folder: 4, item: 95Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, E4:AS 1944.12.29
Scope and Contents: Handsigned letter from Arline B. Newcomb to Anne Sweeney remarking on the Dumbarton Oaks garden and if any material on it could be sent to her to share with a friend. A copy of typescript letter from Anne Sweeney, Dumbarton Oaks Garden Guide to Arline B. Newcomb offers a response to an unanswered letter received December 9th. Sweeney thinks it is very kind for Newcomb to speak so well of Dumbarton Oaks to friends in the far west. "Naturally, the Peace Conferences held here this summer have...

Letter from Anne Sweeney to Beatrix Farrand, Valley Club of Montecito, Santa Barbara, California, Feburary 21, 1946 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box G, Folder: 2a, item: 21Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, G2a:AS 1946.02.21B
Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Anne Sweeney to Beatrix Farrand tells her she has been substituting for Miss Snow as secretary to Robert Woods Bliss. Anne found the complete set of Sargent's Silva of North America in a bookstore and Mildred Bliss agreed with Ethel Burnet Clark's intervention to buy it for Dumbarton Oaks. There have not been many visitors to Dumbarton Oaks in January and February. She reports the "Underworld" is under construction and she will move into her new quarters in the...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, 1650 Orlando Road, San Marino, California to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., March 26, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 36Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.03.26
Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses Beatrix Farrand's upcoming trip to Dumbarton Oaks. She ponders an invitation to stay at Dumbarton Oaks while in Washington, D.C. She mentions John Thacher's planned trip to California acknowledging receipt of his telegram regarding the trip's dates in the postscript. Sketch of the lanterns in the Service Court (LA-GD-E-2-11A) was originally included with the letter. She reports that Mildred Bliss is...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, 1650 Orlando Road, San Marino, California to Paul J. Sachs, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., February 18, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 20Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.02.18B
Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to Paul Sachs discusses Farrand's continued employment at Dumbarton Oaks after the gift to Harvard, including a numbered list of unfinished garden projects requested by Mildred Bliss. Handwritten notation in pencil on first page, "Jack. So as not to cross lines with you, please draft an answer for me. p." Implies Paul J. Sach's copy of Beatrix Farrand's letter was forwarded to John Thacher and he asks Thacher to draft a...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, 1650 Orlando Road, San Marino, California to Paul J. Sachs, Fogg Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 21, 1940 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 5Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1940.12.21
Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to Paul Sachs discusses Beatrix Farrand's continued involvement in Dumbarton Oaks Gardens after the transfer of Dumbarton Oaks to Harvard University. Beatrix specifically mentions the [Dumbarton Oaks] Administrative Committee formed by Harvard for Dumbarton Oaks and is seemingly pleased with its composition to encompass all of Dumbarton Oaks' activities. Beatrix is interested in meeting with John Thacher when she travels...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Director's House, Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery, 1650 Orlando Road, San Marino, California to John S. Thacher, January 29, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 14Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.01.29
Scope and Contents:

Handwritten letter from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher declines an invitation to listen to lectures by Henri Focillon, Senior Research Fellow at Dumbarton Oaks and asks John Thacher to convey her regrets. She ends the letter with a report of a telephone conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, and mentions Mr. Bliss' slow recovery from a cold.

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to Irving C. Root, National Capital Parks, Washington, D.C., November 3, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 78Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.11.03C
Scope and Contents:

Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Irving C. Root suggests dates for a meeting in November between John Thacher, Irving C. Root, and Beatrix Farrand about the Dumbarton Oaks Park. She is asking James Bryce to stake out a path over Clifton Hill.

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., May 25, 1942 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 2, Folder: 49Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1942.05.25
Scope and Contents:

Typescript letter with handwritten signature by secretary for Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher send him a carbon copy of a letter being sent to Irving Root, National Park Service telling him to call a meeting of the Dumbarton Oaks Park Advisory Committee and have Donald Kline and Newton Drury attend if possible. This will be the first time one of the Blisses can be in attendence. Secretary likely Isabelle M. Stover.

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., May 28, 1942 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 2, Folder: 51Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1942.05.28
Scope and Contents:

Typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher tells him she is sending the agenda for the upcoming meeting with Robert and Mildred Bliss. Copies of the letter are also being sent to G. Frederick Coles, James Bryce, and Anne Sweeney. She is looking forward to the visit.

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., June 12, 1942 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 2, Folder: 55Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1942.06.12
Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher thanks him for his hospitality during her visit to Dumbarton Oaks. She will be meeting with Ruth Havey and review what she discussed with him. She asks about the flower bulbs for the National Gallery [of Art], so they are not paying last minute prices and getting poor quality. Miss Snow reports the Blisses are on their way back to Dumbarton Oaks. Robert and Mildred Bliss will be attending another meeting of the...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., August 5, 1942 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 2, Folder: 66Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1942.08.05
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...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., August 10, 1942 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 2, Folder: 68Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1942.08.10
Scope and Contents:

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.

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., August 21, 1942 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 2, Folder: 72Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1942.08.21
Scope and Contents:

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.

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., August 26, 1942 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 2, Folder: 73Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1942.08.26
Scope and Contents:

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.

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., September 8, 1942 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 2, Folder: 75Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1942.09.08
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...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., November 3, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 76Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.11.03
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...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C., June 22, 1942 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 2, Folder: 61Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1942.06.22
Scope and Contents:

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.

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C., May 20, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 41Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.05.20B
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....

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C., June 17, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 47Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.06.17
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...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C., May 14, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 38Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.05.14
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...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Eastward Cottage, Camden, Maine, August 7, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 64Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.08.07
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...

Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Fogg Museum of Art, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 28, 1941 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks
File — Box D: 1, Folder: 56Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, D:BF 1941.06.28B
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...