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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...

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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: Handwritten letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses Beatrix Farrand's preparation for her impending visit to Dumbarton Oaks; specifically the future of Dumbarton Oaks under the new management of Harvard University, and how that affects the gardens and Beatrix Farrand's role as Dumbarton Oak's consulting landscape gardener. Beatrix Farrand concludes the letter by suggesting John Thacher and David Finley, from the National Gallery [of Art], arrange a...

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 Ruth Havey is at Reef Point and she and Farrand are working on the final drawings for the museum tablet and expect to finish the historic tablet before long. They expect to send the drawings to G. Frederick Coles, so he can begin work on 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 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...

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Ruth Havey tells her he discovered small models and dummies stored in the basement of the Fellows' Building. He reports they are not in very good condition and wondered if they could be disposed of or sent to her.

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Ruth Havey asking her to return drawings that she had signed out, so he can look over various garden details noted on the drawings.