Letter from Dorothy, 1172 Park Avenue to Mildred Bliss, Dumbarton Oaks, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., September 13, 1933 Digital
Scope and Contents
Typescript letter with handwritten first name signature from Dorothy to Mildred Bliss thanks her for the wonderful experience of her garden. When Mildred told her it would take two hours to see it she felt that Mildred must be indulging her imagination, but after she had wandered over the garden for an hour and a half and Mr. [William] Gray said "there is still more to see", she realized with amazement the truth of what Mildred said. Mr. Gray showed her a photograph of a bare hillside and explained that this was the site of the present garden. Dorothy then understood something of Mildred's and Beatrix's [Beatrix Farrand] genius. She says there is endless variety in the garden and each step of the way seemed to open out into an entirely new experience. Dorothy has never seen such a lovely pool as the one that lies deep in the shade with the ivy covered amphitheatre behind it. It is more beautiful than anything she has ever seen in Italy or anywhere else, and then again her heart leapt when they reached the Ellipse. It was perfect in scale, so serene, so completely right, and then their eyes lit upon the swimming pool. The boys exclaimed with wonder and delight until Mr. Gray in the kindness of his heart offered them bathing suits and they plunged in. It becomes almost impossible to tell her how much they enjoyed the visit. They were grateful for the opportunity. She thanks Mildred for a beautiful orchid which greeted her at the White House which I wore incessantly for two days. Mildred was indeed good to them, and they shall never forget that afternoon. Dorothy may be Dorothy Draper who worked with Ellis Russell and for the Blisses from New York.
Dates
- Creation: September 13, 1933
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.)Subject
- Bliss, Mildred Barnes, 1879-1969 (Recipient, Person)
- Gray, William, 1881-1937 (Person)
- Farrand, Beatrix, 1872-1959 (Person)
Creator
- From the Collection: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, 1940- (Organization)
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