Colonial Williansburg Foundation John D. Rockefeller Jr. Archive 6/27/2014 XFINITY Connect XFINITY Connect eppster2@comcast.net + Font Size RE: John D. Rockefeller Jr. archive & Acadia National Park From : Carl Childs Thu, Jun 26, 2014 04:52 PM Subject : RE: John D. Rockefeller Jr. archive & Acadia National Park 1 attachment To : Ronald & Elizabeth Epp Dr. Epp, Thank you for your email on what I must say is a very interesting topic. We will certainly examine our finding aids to check on likely sources of this type of documentation and let you know what we find. I suspect (as I think you do) that Mr. Rockefeller had much less "freedom" in decision making in Williamsburg because archeological research and historical documentation steered so much of the work that was completed here. I do believe that your other resources would be more likely to have what you are seeking. Carl Note: Later site visit was Carl M.C. Childs Director, Archives and Records unproductive! Colonial Williamsburg Foundation P.O. Box 1776 Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-1776 Office: 757.220.7248 Fax: 757.220.7398 Email: cchilds@cwf.org The Foundation From: Ronald & Elizabeth Epp [mailto:eppster2@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2014 11:04 AM To: Childs, Carl Subject: John D. Rockefeller Jr. archive & Acadia National Park Dear Mr. Childs, Juleigh Clark gave me your name in reference to a question I posed with her when I visited on Tuesday. I am a recently retired academic library director whose research for more than a decade centered on the development by John D. Rockefeller Jr. of Acadia National Park from 1913 forward. His work on Mount Desert Island with Harvard University President Charles W. Eliot and park founder Gorge B. Dorr is well documented in the Harvard University Archives and the Rockefeller Archive Center, not to ignore a recently uncovered cache of more than a dozen boxes of JDR Jr. legal transactions I uncovered in the basement (of all places!) of the successors to JDR Jr.'s local attorney, A.H. Lynam. I've completed my biography of Mr. Dorr which will be published in 2016 as part of the centennial of the National Park Service and the founding of Acadia National Park. My issue is this: the energy that Rockefeller devoted to Acadia did not diminish when he took on Colonial Williamsburg restoration in 1926. Yet I wonder whether there was any transference of his experience in Maine to Virginia? Were his Williamsburg judgments completely divorced from the lessons learned at Acadia over more than a decade? In many ways the Williamsburg challenges were more complex since the Williamsburg historical records guided much of his decision making whereas at Acadia here was a liberality to where he would direct his fifty-five miles of carriage roads and bridges, not to mention his influence on motor road development and island cultural institutions. To the best of my recollection, my files contain copies of correspondence from Mr. Rockefeller to .Dorn referencing Colonial Williamsburg during the period 1926-1943. I would like to resolve these questions before my book is published since expect that questions will be asked along these lines, I'mprepared to visit again this summer and or fall to examine documentation that might shed light on this question. I will also contact senior archivist Michel Hiltzik at the Rockefeller Archive Center to determine whether any of their resources might apply to the issue I raised. I very much look forward to your reactions to this issue. http://web.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/h/printmessage?id=215578&tz=America/New_York&xim= 1/2 XFINITY Connect Page 1 of 2 XFINITY Connect eppster2@comcast.ne + Font Size Fwd: John D. Rockefeller Jr. archive & Acadia National Park From Ronald & Elizabeth Epp Thu, Jun 26, 2014 11:20 AM Subject Fwd: John D. Rockefeller Jr. archive & Acadia National Park To Michele Hiltzik Dear Michele, I hope the summer find you well! The Friends of Acadia have contracted to published by biography of Mr. Dorr in April 2016 as part of the park and NPS Centennial which I may have told you earlier. I've just returned from a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and two issues arise where I could use your assistance.. First, I saw there a 1921 photo of the entire Rockefeller Family in Seal Harbor that was attributed to the RAC. Can you corroborate and would this image be available for inclusion in my book? Second, below my signature is an e-mail I sent to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation archivist proposing a hypothesis that JDR Jr. might have applied at Williamsburg lessons learned at Acadia. This issue goes beyond the scope of my Dorr biography, but I wondered whether you knew of RAC resources that might be germane to resolving this question. I have a trip to Acadia planned for later this summer and could come to Tarrytown if you think it worth the effort. All my best, as always. Ronald H. Epp, Ph.D. 532 Sassafras Dr. Lebanon, PA 17042 717-272-0801 eppster2@comcast.net From: "Ronald & Elizabeth Epp" To: cchilds@cwf.org Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2014 11:04:22 AM Subject: John D. Rockefeller Jr. archive & Acadia National Park Dear Mr. Childs, Juleigh Clark gave me your name in reference to a question I posed with her when I visited on Tuesday. I am a recently retired academic library director whose research for more than a decade centered on the development by John D. Rockefeller Jr. of Acadia National Park from 1913 forward. His work on Mount Desert Island with Harvard University President Charles W. Eliot and park founder Gorge B. Dorr is well documented in the Harvard University Archives and the Rockefeller Archive Center, not to ignore a recently uncovered cache of more than a dozen boxes of JDR Jr. legal transactions I uncovered in the basement (of all places!) of the successors to JDR Jr.'s local attorney, A.H. Lynam. I've completed my biography of Mr. Dorr which will be published in 2016 as part of the centennial of the National Park Service and the founding of Acadia National Park. My issue is this: the energy that Rockefeller devoted to Acadia did not diminish when he took on Colonial Williamsburg restoration in 1926. Yet I wonder whether there was any transference of his experience in Maine to Virginia? Were his Williamsburg judgments completely divorced from the lessons learned at Acadia over more than a decade? In many ways the Williamsburg challenges were more complex since the Williamsburg historical records guided much of his decision making whereas at Acadia here was a liberality to where he would direct his fifty-five miles of carriage roads and bridges, not to mention his influence on motor road development and island cultural institutions. To the best of my recollection, my files contain copies of correspondence from Mr. Rockefeller to Mr.Dorr referencing Colonial Williamsburg during the period 1926-1943. I would like to resolve these questions before my book is published since expect that questions will be asked along these lines. I'm http://web.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/h/printmessage?id=215471&tz=America/New_York&.. 6/26/2014 XFINITY Connect Page 2 of 2 prepared to visit again this summer and or fall to examine documentation that might shed light on this question. I will also contact senior archivist Michele Hiltzik at the Rockefeller Archive Center to determine whether any of their resources might apply to the issue I raised. I very much look forward to your reactions to this issue. Ronald H. Epp, Ph.D. 532 Sassafras Dr. Lebanon, PA 17042 717-272-0801 eppster2@comcast.net http://web.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/h/printmessage?id=215471&tz=America/New_York&... 6/26/2014 6/27/2014 XFINITY Connect XFINITY Connect eppster2@comcast.net + Font Size Re: FW: John D. Rockefeller Jr. archive & Acadia National Park [#815186] From : Rockefeller Archive Center Thu, Jun 26, 2014 04:41 PM Subject : Re: FW: John D. Rockefeller Jr. archive & Acadia National Park [#815186] To : eppster2@comcast.net Dear Ron, I think it is fabulous that the timing of the biography with the Friends of Acadia corresponds to the centennial of the park and the NPS. Yes, I am familiar with the 1921 photo of the Rockefeller family standing outside the Eyrie, and yes, that image can be used in the book. Concerning your second interest - about the hypothesis that JDR Jr. might have applied at Williamsburg lessons learned at Acadia, I need to mull that over a bit. Right now nothing pops in my head. If you do end up heading up North, I just want to let you know that I will be on a vacation between July 13 and August 2nd - although do not let that stop you from coming to the Archive Center. Hope all is well, and I amso happy your book will be published soon. Best wishes, Michele James 19-27. Michele Hiltzik Beckerman Assistant Director, Head of Reference Rockefeller Archive Center 15 Dayton Avenue Sleepy Hollow NY 10591 mhiltzik@rockarch.org direct phoneline: (914)366-6342 We response has sufficiently answered your questions If not, please reply to this email http://web.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/h/printmessage?id=215577&tz=America/New_York&xim=1 1/1 NOTE: 7/7/14 $6500 Anneel (/index.cfm) Pass to CW. Museums (/History/museums/index.cfm) : Bassett Hall Bassett Hall Bassett Hall, a two-story, 18th- century frame house located on 585 acres of gardens and rolling woodlands, is a part of the story of the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. It was in this house that John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller made their home during the early restoration of the Historic Area, a restoration they themselves financed. 20th-century family home Today the house looks much as it did in the 1930s and 40s when the Rockefellers restored and furnished it 18th-century frame house to be a comfortable family home. Bassett Hall reflects both its 18th-century heritage and the neighborly comfort that was part of the Rockefeller's 20th-century life in Williamsburg. The garden blooms in the spring and fall, just as it did during the Rockefeller's seasonal visits. Extensive conservation work recently completed included the addition of more than 5,000 trees, shrubs, and ground cover, which returned the gardens to their 1940s-era appearance. Trails the Rockefellers established in the woods behind the home are still maintained. Bassett Hall is located near the Capitol, on the south side of Francis Street at the end of a long, tree-lined approach. Admission to Bassett Hall is included in Colonial Williamsburg admission pass. This site is not a ticket sales location SO please purchase your pass ahead of time. For further information: Chronology (/Almanack/places/hb/hbbassett_chron.cfm "Our Little Colonial House" (/Foundation/journal/Autumn02/bassett.cfm)(CW Journal) More on Bassett Hall (/Almanack/places/hb/hbbass.cfm) ADDRESS HOURS 522 East Francis Street Through December 31, 2014 Williamsburg, VA 23185 Wed., Thurs., and Sat. 9:00 - 5:00 Ticket required (/history/museums/tickets.cfm) Christmas day . 11:00 - 4:00 - (javascript:;) (javascript:;)