Letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine, June 27, 1944 Digital
Scope and Contents
Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand tells her it was a pleasure seeing her over the weekend and is sorry her visit was so short. He summarizes garden and staff matters discussed in meeting with Beatrix Farrand on her recent visit to Dumbarton Oaks. Items discussed included: Anne Sweeney's vacation; Anne Sweeney typing copies of the [plant] record book; the Herbaceous Border plantings and walls; re-designs for the Ellipse to be charged to Dumbarton Oaks; the ending of vegetable growing after this year and the vegetable garden will be plowed up and probably planted in clover; no planting to hide the dump; greenhouses to curtail flower raising in favor of propagation; the possibility of a nursery on Blisses adjoining Massachusetts Avenue property; the planting of two small oaks while tw Magnolias is to be left for further discussion; paving of the Green Garden could be done next winter, but uncertain on cost; printing of postcards and fitting cost into the budget; allocating $25 for the purchase of garden books by Anne Sweeney or Beatrix; James Bryce to visit Bar Harbor for two weeks provided the Dumbarton Oaks budget is not involved; the loss of the tree man, Francis Baker and replacing with Bartlett Tree Company with the savings reverting to the Dumbarton Oaks general budget and not the garden budget due to meeting an emergency; John Thacher will try and secure Matthew Kearney's release from the U.S. Army; Edith B. Clark will remain in the cottage, but an extra cottage for garden staff will be considered an option; vacations for gardeners; and a donation by Beatrix Farrand to Dumbarton Oaks and identify for what purpose it should be used such as garden book acquisition or assisting Bryce to visit to Reef Point.
Dates
- Creation: June 27, 1944
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.)Creator
- From the Sub-Group: Farrand, Beatrix, 1872-1959 (Person)
- From the Sub-Group: Thacher, John, 1904-1982 (Person)
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