Box D: 1

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses the Park Advisory Committeee; the White Haven Street entrance to the Park; widening and construction of paths in the Dumbarton Oaks Park; Beatrix Farrand's next planned trip to Dumbarton Oaks; request for the budget that applies to work Beatrix Farrand will do outdoors; and how to cover Anne Sweeney's salary. There is a penciled question mark besides a paragraph discussing Anne Sweeney's salary....

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to George Frederick Coles discusses the decorative stonework and inscriptions being prepared for Dumbarton Oaks, specifically regarding the museum tablet, the service gate finials, the tablets on the R Street wall, and the bench legs in the loggia. Beatrix Farrand wished to approve this work on her next trip to Dumbarton Oaks, and she encourages him to have these garden elements prepared. She suggests the use of polychrome painting or staining...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher acknowledges the premature creation of a Dumbarton Oak Park Committee; thanks him for a copy of the Dumbarton Oaks Buildings and Grounds budget; requests a meeting with Irving Root about the Dumbarton Oaks Park donated property. Written on Beatrix Farrand letterhead with 1650 Orlando Road, San Marino, California address canceled with typescript 'x's.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses her review of the 1940 and 1941-42 budgets for Dumbarton Oaks and wonders if some maintenance costs have been left off. She promises to send a typed and revised report to John Thacher. Handwritten postscript tells Thacher that a letter to the Park Committee members has been sent to Robert Woods Bliss. Written on Beatrix Farrand letterhead with 1650 Orlando Road, San Marino, California address...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher suggests signs of "private garden" rather than "no admittance" be used for areas of the Dumbarton Oaks that the public is prohibted to go. She asks if there is any news on the health of Barbara Session and discusses her compensation from Dumbarton Oaks. She reports a letter from Lawrence Morris arrived, and asks if there is any further developments for Robert and Mildred Bliss. She is writing the Blisses about...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher clarifies Beatrix Farrand's salary and how she is to be paid. Beatrix Farrand also discusses other budget matters, such as maintenance costs for the gardens that should be accounted for in the budget and making the garden grounds available for school field trips to maintain Dumbarton Oaks' tax exemption for educational purposes. She asks for Alberta Carpenter to send her the expenses for heat, repairs, and...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher clarifies her terms of service and specifies how she wishes her salary to be paid, her rate, what it covers, and when to expect expense accounts and expenditure statements.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to Paul Sachs accepts an invitation to offer a lecture at the Fogg Museum and the Harvard University School of Landscape Architecture. She suggests to Paul Sachs that one lecture could be on Elizabethan Gardens and another on "plantings at various Universities with regard to their part in the general education of students in proportion and fitness." She also offers a possible alternate lecture on "the Art of the Landscape...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to Paul Sachs requesting his review and comments on an attached report on the Dumbarton Oaks grounds policy. In the report, Beatrix Farrand provides her insight as to how Harvard University could adapt the Dumbarton Oaks gardens over time to better fit the institution's educational purposes. The report suggests the creation of a plant record book for Dumbarton Oaks [Beatrix Farrand's Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks] to provide...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher requesting his review and comments on an attached report on the Dumbarton Oaks grounds policy. In the report, Beatrix Farrand provides her insight as to how Harvard University could adapt the Dumbarton Oaks gardens over time to better fit the institution's educational purposes. The report suggests the creation of a plant record book for Dumbarton Oaks [Beatrix Farrand's Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks] to provide...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher explains her half-yearly statements for the Beatrix Farrand, Agent accounts for the period of January 1, 1941 to June 30, 1941. That account is for seeds and flowers for the Dumbarton Oaks garden. She also reviews what is covered under her professional services. She and Max Farrand will be in Boston for a week or more, but Isabelle Stover will know where she is.

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher thanks him for his timely move in resolving the issues of work space for Anne Sweeney and support for garden tours. She says that Mildred Bliss would not want to lose Anne Sweeney.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses delaying her Harvard lecture until spring on account of Max Farrand's slow progression towards full health. Beatrix Farrand mentions stopping at Dumbarton Oaks in November while enroute to California for the winter. Mildred Bliss had reported that Robert Bliss was back as Casa Dorinda and relieved his health has improved. Postscript mentions telegram received from John Thacher regarding the garden...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses her November trip to Dumbarton Oaks, including tentative dates for her departure and arrival. Beatrix Farrand mentions Anne Sweeney's salary and how she thinks it ought to be paid for in the month of October. She ends the letter by requesting funds be sent to her Agent account to cover the cost of "certain bulbs and other things for Dumbarton."

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses her upcoming November 21-25, 1941 trip to Dumbarton Oaks. She reviews her planned schedule, such as who she will meet with, what they will discuss, and when these meetings will take place. She may go to Alexandria, Virginia to see some land belonging to Dorothy Straight Elmhirst's son, Michael Whitney Straight. Beatrix Farrand encloses copies of two letters she wrote to Newton B. Drury and to Irving...

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Copy of typescript letter, unsigned, from Beatrix Farrand to Newton B. Drury discusses a possible November meeting between Beatrix Farrand and Newton B. Drury about the Dumbarton Oaks Park, specifically she wants to discuss constructing a path. She encloses a letter to Irving C. Root in which she asks Root to speak with John Thacher or James Bryce. She send her and Max Farrand's regards.

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Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Irving C. Root suggests dates for a meeting in November between John Thacher, Irving C. Root, and Beatrix Farrand about the Dumbarton Oaks Park. She is asking James Bryce to stake out a path over Clifton Hill.

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Western Union telegram from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher informs him and the rest of the Dumbarton Oaks staff of Robert and Mildred Bliss' well-being. She asks for him to relay news about Ellis Russell, James Bryce, Anne Sweeney, and Barbara Sessions. "Mr. Russell" penciled at top.

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher acknowledges receipt of his letter (D:JT 1941.12.09) regarding closing the greenhouses to conserve during World War II. She asks for more time to think over the matter. She sends along news of Robert Bliss and Mildred Bliss, and her husband, Max Farrand's health. Letter signed by Beatrix Farrand's secretary (probably Isabelle M. Stover) on her behalf.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher accompanies a gift copy of Beatrix Farrand's mother's book, "Lantern Slides." Beatrix Farrand reiterates topics mentioned in her earlier letter (D:BF 1941.12.13), such as the well-being of Robert and Mildred Bliss and her uncertainty about closing the greenhouses. She inquires whether the Bliss' contribution towards Anne Sweeney's salary had arrived and ends the letter by including a final copy of the "D.O."...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Isabelle M. Stover to John Thacher informs him of Beatrix Farrand's itinerary for her next trip to Dumbarton Oaks and when she would be able to begin work. Includes typescript copy of Beatrix Farrand's June 1941 itinerary. "Mr. Thacher" typed at the top.

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Isabelle M. Stover to John Thacher acknowledges receipt of two checks sent by John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Isabelle M. Stover on behalf of Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses Mildred Bliss's contribution to Anne Sweeney's salary. Beatrix Farrand will be responsible for two months of Anne Sweeney's salary and hopes to save three months out of James Bryce's budget. Harvard University would make up the difference. She reports Mildred Bliss has approved of the draft Harvard report and will write more later. She proposes dates for John Thacher's...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Irving C. Root to Robert W. Bliss answers Robert Bliss' letter of June 24 (D:RB 1941.06.24) to Newton B. Drury acknowledging the creation of an advisory committee for Dumbarton Oaks Park. Irving Root states that the National Capital Parks Service agrees with the planned composition of the Dumbarton Oaks Park advisory committee and will arrange a time to choose a fifth committee member.

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Text for a night letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand sent or received December 31, 1940. Thacher acknowledges receipt of a forwarded letter from Paul Sachs (D:PJS 1940.12.01) and requests a visit from Beatrix Farrand to Dumbarton Oaks before her return to California.