Letter from Beatrix Farrand, Reef Point, Bar Harbor, Maine to John S. Thacher, Dumbarton Oaks, 3101 R Street, Washington, D.C., August 5, 1942 Digital

Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher acknowledges the receipt of a check for her professional services. She is happy that he had a short holiday and conversation with Lewis Delafield. She discusses his entrance into the Naval Reserves; the damage of the Dumbarton Oaks grounds due to concerts; the oak that died on the South Lawn; lack of decision from the National Gallery [of Art] about flower bulbs; her visit to Dumbarton Oaks in September; and work on the planting record notes. She mentions the replacement of the Dumbarton Oaks Advisory Board with an Executive Committee and Scholarly Committee is good news and approves of the choice of individuals on the Executive Committee including Robert Woods Bliss, two officials from the Fogg, John Thacher, and the liaison officer, John Baker. The Scholarly Committee seems to be widely spread and approves of the adding of non-Harvard men to the Board. She thought it interesting that Mr. Merrill's name was not on any committee. Max Farrand thinks large Visiting Committees if inactive can be useful, but if they grow too big they have to be calmed and curbed.