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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher asks what he thinks about the addition of Robert W. Patterson, a Harvard educated landscape architect to work with her and who would make more frequent inspections of Dumbarton Oaks.

Scope and Contents: Seven black and white photographs of exterior and interior views of the Director's House and Terrace. Before 1941, the building that anchored the southern side of the Service Court was the Garage. The second-floor residential rooms housed some of the Blisses’ male staff.After the Robert and Mildred Bliss gifted Dumbarton Oaks to Harvard University, architect Thomas T. Waterman converted the upstairs living areas into a single residence for John Thacher and his family. The...

Scope and Contents: Typescript Dumbarton Oaks interoffice communication from John Thacher to Mildred Bliss about the steps from the North Bay. Mr. Phelps, the stone contractor, made full size drawings for the steps from the North Bay (possibly G-2-39). He will bring them up to Mr. Kearney. Phelps sent his bill for his work, approximately $500 to Miss Havey two years ago and has not been paid. He notifies Mildred Bliss that small models in the basement of the Fellows' Building have been destroyed after receiving...

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...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature and postscript from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses her feeling grateful for the help resolving the flower bulb issue with David Finley for the National Gallery [of Art]; need for changes to the trefoil gate, changes on the 32nd Street tablet; the historic tablet; and raising of the North Vista grade after speaking with James Bryce. Farrand and Ruth Havey have made progress on project work and agreed on a "trial marriage" for working...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher encloses her half yearly statement ending June 30, 1942 for work done at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library. The Beatrix Farrand, Agent account has a positive balance. She is covering part of Ruth Havey's time filling in for her and finds it difficult to divide her professional costs between Harvard University and Mildred Bliss on other projects. She will be working with Ruth Havey again in September at Bar...

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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. Letter signed by Isabelle Stover, secretary on behalf of Farrand. Farrand tells Thacher that she will stay at Dumbarton Oaks during her visit and have Ruth Havey join them to discuss the historic and museum tablets, the North Vista and Herbaceous Border walls. She will thank James Bryce and his wife for providing a room for Havey. She agrees with the storm sewer pipe placement but has questions about how it...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher tells him that the drawings for the historic and museum tablets will be ready by September 29. Farrand has gone over the cost of the drawings for the North Vista with Ruth Havey. No further work on the North Vista or Herbaceous Border design work will be done until he approves the preparation cost.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher tells him she and Ruth Havey have finished the outline for the historic and museum tablets inscriptions. Havey will send to G. Frederick Coles after putting the finishing touches on them. She asks Thacher to think about the position of the historic tablet on the wall either in the center or just west of the entrance gate. She is going to send Thacher an agenda for the upcoming meeting and feels it would be wise...

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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

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher comments on the ups and downs at Casa Dorinda; dates she will visit Dumbarton Oaks; Francis Baker's fall from a tree and if there is anything she can do; Mildred Bliss wanting a fund for the use of Dumbarton Oaks Park; and Thacher's potential contribution to the "planting fund."

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher tells him of her plans to visit Dumbarton Oaks, during which time her assistant Ruth Havey will meet her so that together they may review the levels and possible designs for the North Vista and walls along the Herbaceous Border. Beatrix Farrand tells him that she is writing Irving Root to arrange a meeting with him or Mr. Kline, landscape architect of the Capital Parks, to address questions about the Clifton...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ellis Russell on behalf of Mildred Bliss to Ruth Havey. Ellis Russell discusses trip abroad to assist Mrs. Bliss in moving from Scotland to London along with making arrangements for a country house in England for her. She can reach her at Reddish House, Broadchalk, near Salisbury, Wilt. Russell expresses that Mrs. Bliss is anxious to get a progress report on the work being done at Dumbarton Oaks and gives Ruth Havey full authority to make...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand discusses ongoing garden projects and suggests planting simplifications, especially in the vegetable gardens, greenhouses, and orangery. He refers to the Fountain Terrace as "the flower garden" on page 1. He mentions an upcoming lecture by Professor Doro Levi and the gardens opening for the Home for Incurables, but feels there will be plenty of time to meeting with Mildred Bliss and discuss Harvard [University's] problems between...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand thanks her for her March 10 letter confirming her April 12-17 visit to Dumbarton Oaks, and expresses pleasure at the news of Ruth Havey's coinciding visit given the importance of furthering designs for future plans in the gardens. He notes that he had observed Dumbarton Oaks Park personnel spraying the trees and conveys disappointment at learning from James Bryce that they lack funds or manpower to dredge the Branch. He conveys...

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Ruth Havey tells her he would like to see and review the drawings for the 32nd and historic tablets before Robert and Mildred Bliss return to Dumbarton Oaks. He is glad her visit with Beatrix Farrand is going well.

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her Ruth Havey's visit was successful and she later sent dummies for the 32nd Street tablet and historic tablet on R Street. They were returned to her with suggestions. He reports the trefoil gate drawing is improved, but still needs work. An answer about flowers for the National Gallery [of Art] is still pending. David Finley will go over the question with Bryce this coming week. Finley needs to get three competitive bids...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her Robert and Mildred Bliss were shocked by the condition of the Dumbarton Oaks Park and made their concern clear to Irving Root and Donald Kline from the National Park Service. He reports the Blisses have probably decided to hold off on establishing a trust fund for the park until the Park Commission has taken some action. James Bryce is working with David Finley about bulbs for the National Gallery [of Art]. He is...

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her he spoke to Robert and Mildred Bliss who told them their decision about the tablets. He is confident Beatrix Farrand, Ruth Havey, and John Thacher can come up a design that pleases the Blisses. The second academic year at Dumbarton Oaks begins on September 25.

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand thanks her for sending her travel dates to Dumbarton Oaks. He offers her a smaller "sky apartment" to stay in while at Dumbarton Oaks. He suggest Ruth Havey also come during her visit and James Bryce can offer her a room to stay in. He is anxious to get the plans for changes to the North Vista and Herbaceous border walls, but doubts any work can be done for another year. He asks that he, Farrand, and Bryce agree on the position...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her he is delighted that Ruth Havey will come to Dumbarton Oaks during Farrand's visit. He wants to have definite plans for the North Vista and Herbaceous Border and will store them in the safe. Dumbarton Oaks should be charged for them, but does not want to be charged for revisions. It will be up to Mildred Bliss if she chooses to continue with the projects. They can discuss further the storm sewer drain during Farrand's...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Ruth Havey tells her that he looks forward to receiving the sketch for the stone bench in the loggia and for the lantern in the Service Court. He is going to give the inscriptions for the Forsythia gate to G. Frederick Coles and arrange painting of the gate. Coles is working on the finials at the service entrance. Beatrix Farrand will consult with Mildred Bliss about the inscription tablet. Farrand's desire is to eliminate the chronological...

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Ruth Havey tells her the Service Court lantern has been built and estimates for the support to hold it have already been made. The cost for the estimates was $65.00. Beatrix Farrand and Mildred Bliss will likely settle the matter of cost. He doesn't think any more designs are needed, but he may be mistaken. Beatrix Farrand will be at Dumbarton Oaks the third week in April and it is best to wait to settle all matters then.