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FILE — Box: H, Folder: 2, item: 7 Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, H2:RB 1943.06.14

Letter from Robert Woods Bliss, 2750 Que Street N.W., Washington, D.C. to Barbara Sessions, Claremont, N.H., June 14, 1943 Digital

Letter from Robert Woods Bliss, 2750 Que Street N.W., Washington, D.C. to Barbara Sessions, Claremont, N.H., June 14, 1943
Letter from Robert Woods Bliss, 2750 Que Street N.W., Washington, D.C. to Barbara Sessions, Claremont, N.H., June 14, 1943

Scope and Contents

Copy of typescript letter from Robert Woods Bliss to Barbara Sessions, Librarian at Dumbarton Oaks, sharing his and Mildred Bliss' distress that Barbara needed to go to the hospital after arriving in Claremont, New Hampshire. He expresses their concern was lessened after hearing she had been out and about. They hope to receive glowing accounts of her "diggings" and to learn that the change of scene and air was beneficial. He mentions that during a recent meeting of the Administrative Committee, they had decided "not to put a time limit on any new arrangement" to return to Dumbarton Oaks until she and her physicians have no hesitancy in her returning full time work at Dumbarton Oaks. If at the beginning of the next term, she decides not to return the Committee would understand perfectly and be quite agreeable to her continuing as she had during this past year. Arrangements could be made regarding her salary if she feels any embarrassment about receiving it while not at Dumbarton Oaks.

The Administrative Committee members were Edward K. Rand, George LaPiana, John C. Baker, Robert Blake, Charles Rufus Morey, Albert M. Friend, Paul Sachs (chairman), Michael I. Rostovtzeff, Sirarpie Der Nersessian, and Alexander A. Vasiliev.

Robert shares that he attended the Harvard Commencement, and felt the Exercises and Alumni Association events were very moving. Graduation certificates were awarded to three thousand men in the Navy Reserves pursuing their "special studies" at Harvard along with a contingent of WAVES [Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (also known as United States Naval Reserve (Women's Reserve)) who raised their right hand and repeated the oath of allegiance. He heard talks by General Miles and Admiral [Robert Alfred] Theobold.

He reports that he and Mildred have moved into the house (on Q Street, Washington, D.C.), and although eveything is very sketchy, they make progress each day and will soon begin to feel at home.

He says Mildred would send many affectionate messages and thanks for Barbara's letter if she knew he was writing. He closes offering her best wishes for a recovery from her hospital "drive".

Dates

  • Creation: June 14, 1943

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials chiefly in English with a few items in Greek, Latin, French, Italian, or Spanish.

Conditions Governing Access

An appointment is required for access to these papers. To request an appointment, fill out the online form: http://www.doaks.org/research/library-archives/access-and-hours/schedule-an-appointment.

For research queries, contact the staff of Image Collections and Fieldwork Archives (library@doaks.org).

Extent

23 boxes (Approximately 2632 items including correspondence, expense reports, invoices, estimates, deposit records, book lists, newspaper clippings, newsletters, and plant lists.)

Repository Details

Part of the Dumbarton Oaks Repository

Dumbarton Oaks holds archival collections in its Rare Book Collection, Image Collections and Fieldwork Archives, and the Dumbarton Oaks Archives. The collections include: the papers of noteworthy scholars in the three fields that Dumbarton Oaks supports (Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and Garden and Landscape); image collections depicting objects or sites of topical interest to scholars in the three fields; Beatrix Farrand’s personal archive of letters and original drawings that document the development of the Dumbarton Oaks Garden; and institutional records and architectural plans and drawings documenting the history of Dumbarton Oaks. For more information about hours and to make an appointment to consult any of the collections listed here, please fill out the request form: https://www.doaks.org/research/library-archives/schedule-an-appointment

Contact:
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