Box D: 1

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand answers her garden-related questions of March 8th (D:BF 1941.03.08) and responds to her letter of March 18th (D:BF 1941.03.18) regarding her impending trip to Dumbarton Oaks. John Thacher emphasizes his need to discuss matters in person with the Blisses and suggests he goes West to visit with them if their plans to travel East are not soon realized. He comments on Professor Focillon's health. He reports that Robert Woods Bliss...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand answers her letters of May 13 (D:BF 1941.05.13) and May 14 (D:BF 1941.05.14) regarding the formation and membership of a 5 person Dumbarton Oaks Park Committee. John Thacher also discusses the employment of previously-held gardeners, who would now be under the park's foreman and James Bryce. Anne Sweeney's future still appears to be undecided as John Thacher waits to see if Dumbarton can afford her salary. He says there is a lull...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand discusses her next visit to Dumbarton Oaks and answers Beatrix Farrand's questions put forth in her May 20 letter to him (D:BF 1941.05.20B), including where Dumbarton Oaks lies in relation to the original land deed, whether Anne Sweeney could be kept on as garden guide with the new, reduced budget, and which days they could meet while Beatrix Farrand is in town. Ethel Burnet Clark tells Thacher that the deed to Ninian Beall's...

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand responds to Beatrix Farrand's letter of August 27 (D:BF 1941.08.27) acknowledges receipt of a check for Anne Sweeney's September salary and informs Beatrix Farrand on the progress of Robert Bliss' health as conveyed through a telegram from Mildred Bliss.

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Copy of text for telegram from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand informs her that he will consider her questions and concerns regarding Anne Sweeney's work arrangements at Dumbarton Oaks; and shares the news that Robert Bliss has developed phlebitis.

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand answers her letters of October 2 (D:BF 1941.10.02) and October 17 (D:BF 1941.10.17) regarding the start of the Dumbarton Oaks garden tours led by Anne Sweeney, postponing Beatrix Farrand's Harvard University lecture due to her husband's illness, and her November trip to Dumbarton Oaks, including issues to be discussed during her visit.

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand confirms the dates and times he can meet to discuss the Dumbarton Oaks Park. Newton Drury and Irving Root can meet with Beatrix Farrand on November 24 in the afternoon. He feels G. Frederick Coles is dawdling on work for the Green Garden. He has other questions which he will postpone for discussion when they meet. He is encouraged about the news of Max Farrand's health improving. Letter was sent with enclosed letters to Newton...

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand ask her opinion on how Dumbarton Oaks and the gardens should adapt for World War II, specifically if they could close the greenhouses and build an air raid shelter underneath it at the west end. James Bryce suggests moving the orchids to the Orangery and for building the shelter under the main greenhouse as it would not require excavation for it.

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Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand presses her for a decision regarding moving the orchids and closing the greenhouses.

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Original and duplicate typescript letter with handwritten signature from Paul J. Sachs to Beatrix Farrand informs her of the Corporation of Harvard's appointment of an Administrative Committee [Dumbarton Oaks Administrative Committee] to administer Dumbarton Oaks' matters and expresses his desire that Beatrix Farrand continue to remain involved in the gardens. Paul J. Sachs wonders if she might meet with John Thacher either in Washington, D.C. or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Paul J. Sachs to Beatrix Farrand states Dumbarton Oaks' need of her continued guidance and proposes an annual honorarium for her position as consultant landscape gardener starting January 1, 1941.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Paul J. Sachs to Beatrix Farrand responds to her February 9 letter (D:BF 1941.02.09) regarding her continued involvement in Dumbarton Oaks. Paul J. Sachs agrees to her preferred method of payment and has forwarded on information Beatrix Farrand provided regarding discounts when ordering plant material. He tells her John Thacher has told James Bryce he is to forward all garden orders through Beatrix Farrand to take advantage of the discounts...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Paul J. Sachs to Beatrix Farrand acknowledges her letter of February 18th (D:BF 1941.02.18B) and explains he delayed his response until he could discuss with John Thacher questions Beatrix Farrand had raised in her correspondence. After meeting with John Thacher, he thinks Thacher answered her questions in his letter to her (D:JT 1941.03.04). Paul Sachs expresses his appreciation for her continued advice to and guidance of the Dumbarton Oaks gardens after its...

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Copy of typescript letter from Paul J. Sachs to Beatrix Farrand answers her March 19 letter (D:BF 1941.03.19) and thanks her for the forwarded letter to John Thacher. Paul Sachs reiterates his desire to meet during Beatrix Farrand's impending trip to Dumbarton Oaks so as to learn about Mildred Bliss' thoughts on the Orangery and drawing room (Founders' Room). He plans to be at a meeting of the Board of Overseers in Washington, D.C. He sends his regards to Max Farrand.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Paul J. Sachs to Beatrix Farrand acknowledges receipt of her report to Harvard University regarding the maintenance of Dumbarton Oaks' grounds (B:BF 1941.11.24). He encourages Beatrix Farrand to begin work on her Plant Record Book for Dumbarton Oaks and reminds her of Harvard's intention to maintain the quality and designs of the gardens despite the need to review carefully the plans for new plantings given the constraints and uncertainty...

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Typescript letter from Paul Sachs' secretary to Beatrix Farrand answer's her June 25 letter to him (D:BF 1941.06.25) regarding the subject of Beatrix Farrand's lecture at Harvard University. The sender may be Mrs. Ethel R. Hebb who served as Paul J. Sachs' secretary from 1955 to 1957.

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Typescript press release from Irving C. Root, Superintendent of National Capital Parks announces a sponsored nature walk through Dumbarton Oaks Park on the morning of July 13, 1941 led by Louis C. Wheeler, a Ranger-Naturalist for National Capital Parks. Handwritten note in top, left hand corner in either blue or faded black ink, "This is a popular weekly event."

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter from Robert Woods Bliss to Newton B. Drury, Director of the National Park Service, discusses the formation of an Advisory Committee for Dumbarton Oaks Park. Robert Bliss details the composition of the committee and wishes for the National Park Service's approval and collaboration in its formation. The Advisory Committee would be composed of Irving Root, John Thacher, Beatrix Farrand, Mildred Bliss, and a fifth member appointed by the four members. He hopes the formation of...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature confirms Beatrix Farrand's planned arrival to Washington, D.C. on January 16, working at Dumbarton Oaks on January 17. She offers suggestions for her and John Thacher to discuss, such as how Harvard University's acceptance of Dumbarton Oaks will affect the gardens and their future plantings. She also suggests the Catalog House continue to be developed as an educational asset to the institution and the public. Beatrix Farrand mentions sending a...

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature answers John Thacher's telegram of the same day (D:JT 1941.01.06) providing him with Beatrix Farrand's hotel arrangements leading up to her visit to Dumbarton Oaks on January 16, 1941. In the closing of the letter, Typescript "very truly" crossed out and "sincerely," written by hand in black ink.

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses Beatrix Farrand's preparation for her impending visit to Dumbarton Oaks; specifically the future of Dumbarton Oaks under the new management of Harvard University, and how that affects the gardens and Beatrix Farrand's role as Dumbarton Oak's consulting landscape gardener. Beatrix Farrand concludes the letter by suggesting John Thacher and David Finley, from the National Gallery [of Art], arrange a...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher details the dates of Beatrix Farrand's next planned trip to Dumbarton Oaks and topics she and John Thacher plan to discuss. Specifically, Mildred Bliss' wishes for the Orangery and the drawing room to be part of the discussion. She also plans to work with James Bryce and Anne Sweeney on the Catalogue House while Thacher is away on Harvard business. Beatrix Farrand discusses the health of Robert Bliss and Henri...

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Typescript note with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to Paul Sachs forwarding a letter Beatrix Farrand wrote to John Thacher (D:BF 1941.03.18) regarding her impending trip to Dumbarton Oaks. Includes penciled notes, "Jack," referring to John Thacher, and "Answer" indicating he wanted John Thacher to provide a response to Beatrix Farrand. Farrand's secretary may have signed letter on her behalf. A copy of the Farrand's letter to Thacher is included.

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Western Union telegram from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher responds to his earlier request for Beatrix Farrand's opinion on whether he should visit Mr. and Mrs. Bliss in California (D:JT 1941.03.21). Beatrix Farrand encourages him to visit the Blisses, preferably when she is in Santa Barbara as well.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher discusses Beatrix Farrand's upcoming trip to Dumbarton Oaks. She ponders an invitation to stay at Dumbarton Oaks while in Washington, D.C. She mentions John Thacher's planned trip to California acknowledging receipt of his telegram regarding the trip's dates in the postscript. Sketch of the lanterns in the Service Court (LA-GD-E-2-11A) was originally included with the letter. She reports that Mildred Bliss is...