Exchange of letters between Jane James Cook, The Warrington, 3908 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD. and Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, March 23, 1937; July 11, 1937; November 29, 1937 Digital

Two handwritten letters from Jane James Cook to Mildred Bliss and one copy of a typescript letter from Mildred Bliss to Jane Cook. In the letter dated March 23rd, [1937] Jane Cook tells Mildred Bliss that three members of the "Garden Club of Twenty" in Baltimore attended a meeting at Mrs. Wiliner's in Washington and afterwards decided to pay a visit to the Blisses estate or at least taking a peep at it through the chink in the wall. She mentions seeing Mildred's beautiful exhibits at the Baltimore Show in March 1936. Mrs. Crossan Cooper [Louisa Carrell Jenkins], Mrs. James Whedbee [Eleanor Jenkins] and herself were looking at the garden with longing that the gate keeper got permission for them to go inside and view the wonders with the enthusiastic guidance of Mr. [James] Bryce. Cook wants her to know how much they appreciated Mildred's wonderful generosity in allowing them the privilege of seeing the glorious collection. Cook is especially interested as she remembers hearing her mother speak of Mr. Bliss' family in St. Louis and especially of "Miss Annie Lou Woods" for whom she was bridesmaid when she was "Miss Jennie James". She is looking forward to another glimpse of the garden through "a chink in the wall" a little later on. In a typescript response dated July 11, 1937, Mildred Bliss tells Jane Cook she received a very charming note a while ago, but as it had no address she waited until she saw some Baltimore friends to ask where a reply would find Cook. Her friends forgot about her request, and she only secured it by writing them again. Mildred reports being delighted to know that the gardens had given so much pleasure to three members of "The Garden Club of Twenty" and Mr. Bliss and her sister-in-law were particularly interested to learn that your mother had been bridesmaid to theirs. Mildred says if Jane comes back to Washington next winter, she hopes Jane will let them know preferably with a few days' notice as she and her husband would be sorry not to have the pleasure of making her acquaintance. "Please thank Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Whedbee for their kind message and tell them that we count upon their coming back to see more of the gardens than just through "a chink in the wall" perhaps this autumn when the chrysanthemums are in bloom? In the last letter of the exchange dated November 29, [1937] Jane Cook thanks Mildred Bliss for the invitation last summer to visit her greenhouses during the Chrysanthemum season as it was very much appreciated. She is planning to have lunch with an old friend, Miss Marian Stevens [?] in Washington. It would be delightful if they could have the privilege of seeing the greenhouses either in the morning or in the afternoon. If it would inconvenience Mildred in any way, please be sure to say so as they can come another day. Cook reports she is keenly interested in horticulture and would love to see Mildred's collection of Chrysanthemums and other varieties of plants. She is looking forward with great pleasure to the trip.