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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.

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Expense report from Beatrix Farrand to Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, July 1, 1942 to December 31, 1942 outlining charges for professional services, office expenses, draughting, and traveling expenses and purchases made for flowers, bulbs, seeds, tulips, a book and shipping charges

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Expense report from Beatrix Farrand to Harvard University (Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection), January 1, 1942 to June 30, 1942 outlining itemized expenses for professional services, assistant time, traveling, office expenditures, and garden plants, seeds, and books. Also includes a receipt for Beatrix Farrand for entrance into Dartington Hall, Totnes, England.

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Expense report from Beatrix Farrand to Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection from July 1, 1943 to December 31, 1943 listing charges for professional services in the field and in the office; expenses for Ruth Havey's time; traveling and office expenses; and expenses for seeds, bulbs, and roses for the Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, Washington, D.C.

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 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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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: 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 sends her a check for her services from January 1 to June 30, 1942. He asks that she let him know when her account needs to be replenished. Thacher reports on his health screening for entering the Navy Reserves and taking a few enjoyable days away to the Hot Springs where he had good conversations with Lewis Delafield. There is still no final word about the bulbs for the National Gallery [of Art]. He reports on happenings at...

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...

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...

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: 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,...