Search Results

Names:

Andrade-Watkins, Claire  Search this

Bambara, Toni Cade  Search this

Dash, Julie  Search this

Gerima, Haile  Search this

Greaves, William, 1953-2005  Search this

Gunn, Bill, 1934-1989  Search this

Jafa, Arthur  Search this

Jones, Robert Earl, 1904-2006  Search this

Massiah, Louis  Search this

Micheaux, Oscar, 1884-1951  Search this

Moses, Ethel  Search this

Robeson, Paul, 1898-1976  Search this

Sanchez, Sonia, 1934- (poet, reader)  Search this

Snead, James A., 1953-1989  Search this

Spence, Louise, 1945-  Search this

Tucker, Lorenzo  Search this

Donor:

Bowser, Pearl, 1931-  Search this

Extent:

approximately 100 Motion picture films

213 Sound cassettes (7 boxes)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Motion picture films

Sound cassettes

Sound cassette

Oral histories (document genres)

16mm motion picture film

Vhs (videotape format)

Place:

England

Harlem (New York, N.Y.)

Roanoke (Va.)

Memphis (Tenn.)

Date:

bulk 1920-2001

Biographical / Historical:

Pearl Bowser is a filmmaker, producer, author, lecturer, and highly acclaimed scholar of African American film who is recognized as an authority on the works of Oscar Micheaux, a noted writer, director, and producer of race films from 1919 to 1948.

Born Pearl Johnson on June 25, 1931, in Sugar Hill, Harlem, New York, she was named after her mother (also Pearl Johnson), a domestic worker who had been raised in a Catholic nunnery. On occasional Saturdays, the younger Pearl would accompany her mother to work in apartments in lower Manhattan, where she would assist her by folding handkerchiefs for a small allowance. After moving to a lower part of Harlem when she was about four years old, she met Harlem entrepreneur "Bumpy" Johnson, for whom she and other children in the neighborhood did odd jobs such as counting coins or attending to his ice-cream stand. Johnson, who would sometimes give the children joy rides in his Cadillac, occasionally allowed Pearl and the other children to borrow books from his extensive library, provided that they read them and submitted to a quiz.

As a child, Bowser had several racist encounters. For example, one of her white kindergarten teachers at her elementary school wore gloves in the classroom as to not touch Black pupils. She was also occasionally teased for having a gap between her teeth but felt insulated from sustained bullying because she had several older brothers who sometimes protected her. On a separate occasion, when she was about nine years old, her mother sent her on a trip from New York to the South to visit relatives. Although her mother had purchased tickets for her to be in a Pullman car, when she changed trains in Washington, DC., she was forced to ride in the car behind the engine, which left her covered in soot.

An avid reader, Pearl excelled in elementary and high school and received a scholarship to attend Brooklyn College, where she majored in biology. She supplemented her income by recording the numbers in one of Bumpy Johnson's shops. Disappointed with the quality of the education she was receiving, Bowser withdrew from Brooklyn College, eventually landing a job at CBS where she worked on a team that analyzed Nielsen ratings.

In 1955, Pearl married fellow New Yorker LeRoy Bowser. By the mid-1960s, although Pearl and LeRoy Bowser had separate interests, they both were working simultaneously in the civil rights movement. While LeRoy was active in Brooklyn CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) and went to the South in the summer to teach for what was the beginning of HeadStart, Pearl, along with other production activists, took to the streets documenting African American culture and issues—working to bring these films to schools. Additionally, Bowser wanted to write a cookbook to earn funds for Brooklyn's CORE organization. She was approached by David Davis, the editor of Tuesday Magazine. Tuesday had distribution in the Herald Tribune across the country as a Sunday supplement. As the urban-world magazine exploded in Black communities, "Joan" Bowser's two-page pictorials on Southern cooking with a set of recipes became very popular in the five years she wrote them. Bowser retained copyrights to the articles, and easily completed her cookbook a short time later.

Bowser's colleague at ABC, Charles Hobson, found a used book written by Peter Noble about Black films and Oscar Micheaux. The volume was slim and contained what little information contained in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) files. Hobson and his colleagues wanted to write a book about the topic, and they assigned Bowser to begin the research. As part of the project, Bowser went to California to interview actors who may have been in early Black films or may have worked with Micheaux. What she learned began her intensive scholarship into Micheaux and his fellow filmmakers.

In 1971, she organized her first film festival, the Black Film History Series. In 1979, she organized the nation's first American women's film festival in New York City. She also presented a major retrospective, Independent Black American Cinema 1920-1980, which toured the country during 1981 and 1982. She also directed the Journey Across Three Continents film and lecture series, which toured the country from 1983-1985. Bowser also served as president of the prestigious Flaherty Film Seminar in 1987. In 1989, she, alongside Grant Munro, programmed the 35th Flaherty Film Seminar, which featured films such as Finzan, Zajota and the Boogie Spirit, Daughters of the Dust, and many more. She has also been a judge at the world-renown Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESCPACO) in Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta).

In the 1980s Bowser was awarded an independent artists grant by the Ford Foundation to travel west and collect oral histories from individuals in Oscar Micheaux's orbit, loosely following the route he would have travelled decades earlier. Stopping in cities such as Roanoke, Virginia; Memphis, Tennessee; and Jackson, Mississippi, she collected dozens of oral histories from actors, actresses etc. that knew Oscar Micheaux. Through this research she became an eminent figure in the Black independent film industry. Working as a programmer, she travelled around the United States and the world showing films by domestic and Black filmmakers within the Diaspora.

Despite her wealth of experience working as a programmer, it wasn't until the 1990s that Bowser made her directorial debut with the documentary film Midnight Ramble. Funded by American Experience, the film looks at African Americans and Hollywood movies from 1910 through the 1950s. In 2000, she, along with Louise Spence, co-authored Writing Himself into History: Oscar Micheaux, His Silent Films and His Audiences, a book about the pioneering filmmaker. Additionally, she is founder and director of Chamba Educational Film Services, a film distribution company that specialized in distributing films by African American filmmakers. In the early 1980s, she renamed her company/collection as African Diaspora Images, a collection of historical and contemporary films documenting Black film history. She subsequently joined Third World Newsreel, where she was director of their theater department.

In 2012, Pearl Bowser donated her extensive collection of books, sound cassettes, films, film memorabilia, and papers to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Sources:

1940 United States Federal Census; New York, New York, New York, population schedule, p. 61B, house number 1486, family 195, Pearl Bowser; Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012 accessed: 10 Sept 2022); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm: m-t0627-02665

Bowser, Pearl. Pearl Bowser Oral History. Interview by Tuliza Fleming and Jennifer Lyon, July 21, 2011.

Provenance:

Acquired as a donation from Pearl Bowser in 2012.

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Access to collection materials requires an appointment.

Occupation:

Filmmakers  Search this

Actors -- Interviews  Search this

Topic:

Documentary films  Search this

Film festivals  Search this

African American actors  Search this

African American actresses  Search this

African diaspora  Search this

Race films  Search this

African American motion picture producers and directors  Search this

African American women authors  Search this

Meetings  Search this

Conferences  Search this

Lectures and lecturing  Search this

Amateur films  Search this

Motion picture soundtracks  Search this

Oral history  Search this

Radio broadcasts  Search this

Genre/Form:

Sound cassette

Oral histories (document genres)

16mm motion picture film

VHS (videotape format)

Citation:

Pearl Bowser Collection, National Museum of African American History and Culture

Identifier:

NMAAHC.A2012.79.AV

See more items in:

Pearl Bowser Audiovisual Collection

Archival Repository:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/io3209e9c6d-3045-4a0a-941e-6519385b18d5

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nmaahc-a2012-79-av

Creator:

National Zoo  Search this

Type:

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2022-06-06T20:48:39.000Z

YouTube Category:

Pets & Animals  Search this

Topic:

Zoology;Animals;Veterinary medicine;Animal health  Search this

See more by:

SmithsonianNZP

Data Source:

National Zoo

YouTube Channel:

SmithsonianNZP

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_8-uWSmM0eMk

Creator:

National Zoo  Search this

Type:

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2018-01-29T21:00:39.000Z

YouTube Category:

Pets & Animals  Search this

Topic:

Zoology;Animals;Veterinary medicine;Animal health  Search this

See more by:

SmithsonianNZP

Data Source:

National Zoo

YouTube Channel:

SmithsonianNZP

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_IyXjpgzW73A

Creator:

National Zoo  Search this

Type:

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2019-03-07T16:53:50.000Z

YouTube Category:

Pets & Animals  Search this

Topic:

Zoology;Animals;Veterinary medicine;Animal health  Search this

See more by:

SmithsonianNZP

Data Source:

National Zoo

YouTube Channel:

SmithsonianNZP

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_Pu4_h7pujZE

Creator:

National Zoo  Search this

Type:

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2022-06-06T20:48:45.000Z

YouTube Category:

Pets & Animals  Search this

Topic:

Zoology;Animals;Veterinary medicine;Animal health  Search this

See more by:

SmithsonianNZP

Data Source:

National Zoo

YouTube Channel:

SmithsonianNZP

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_bE5q_xUKhjo

Creator:

National Air and Space Museum  Search this

Type:

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2015-09-11T14:37:49.000Z

YouTube Category:

Education  Search this

Topic:

Aeronautics;Flight;Space Sciences  Search this

See more by:

airandspace

Data Source:

National Air and Space Museum

YouTube Channel:

airandspace

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_mHteNtl3BDE

Creator:

Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage  Search this

Type:

YouTube Videos

Uploaded:

2009-04-06T17:11:36.000Z

YouTube Category:

Music  Search this

Topic:

Cultural property  Search this

See more by:

smithsonianfolkways

Data Source:

Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

YouTube Channel:

smithsonianfolkways

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:yt_xXjEX76hrW0

Associated person:

Johnson, Lady Bird  Search this

Associated institution:

Democratic National Party  Search this

Physical Description:

paper (overall material)

wood (overall material)

red, white, blue (overall color)

Measurements:

overall: 22 1/2 in x 10 in; 57.15 cm x 25.4 cm

Object Name:

Pennant

ID Number:

PL.257680.57

Catalog number:

257680.57

Accession number:

257680

See more items in:

Political and Military History: Political History, Campaign Collection

Princeton Posters

Data Source:

National Museum of American History

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a2-e600-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmah_495809

Collection Collector:

Robinson, Franklin A., Jr., 1959- (actor)  Search this

Container:

Box 10, Folder 4

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1944

Collection Restrictions:

Collection is open for research but negatives and audiovisuial materials are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some papers of living persons are restricted. Access to restricted portions may be arranged by request to the donor. Gloves required for unprotected photographs. Viewing film portions of the collection and listening to LP recording requires special appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.

Collection Rights:

The Archives Center does not own exclusive rights to these materials. Copyright for all materials is retained by the donor, Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.; permission for commercial use and/or publication may be requested from the donor through the Archives Center. Military Records for Franklin A. Robinson (b. 1932) and correspondence from Richard I. Damalouji (1961-2014) are restricted; written permission is needed to research these files. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

The Robinson and Via Family Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Sponsor:

Preservation of the 8mm films in this collection was made possible, in part, by a grant from the National Film Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Robinson and Via Family Papers

Robinson and Via Family Papers / Series 2: Robinson Family / 2.6: Robinson, Franklin A. / 2.6.1: Correspondence, diaries, personal ephemera

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8d451e306-0493-47c5-8e54-5b55390f8ba2

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0475-ref166

Collection Collector:

Robinson, Franklin A., Jr., 1959- (actor)  Search this

Container:

Box 39, Folder 11

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1950

Collection Restrictions:

Collection is open for research but negatives and audiovisuial materials are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some papers of living persons are restricted. Access to restricted portions may be arranged by request to the donor. Gloves required for unprotected photographs. Viewing film portions of the collection and listening to LP recording requires special appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.

Collection Rights:

The Archives Center does not own exclusive rights to these materials. Copyright for all materials is retained by the donor, Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.; permission for commercial use and/or publication may be requested from the donor through the Archives Center. Military Records for Franklin A. Robinson (b. 1932) and correspondence from Richard I. Damalouji (1961-2014) are restricted; written permission is needed to research these files. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

The Robinson and Via Family Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Sponsor:

Preservation of the 8mm films in this collection was made possible, in part, by a grant from the National Film Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Robinson and Via Family Papers

Robinson and Via Family Papers / Series 2: Robinson Family / 2.6: Robinson, Franklin A. / 2.6.1: Correspondence, diaries, personal ephemera

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8c69fd212-5fa6-426e-8f82-ac71a4266346

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0475-ref167

Collection Collector:

Robinson, Franklin A., Jr., 1959- (actor)  Search this

Container:

Box 3, Folder 2

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1926

Collection Restrictions:

Collection is open for research but negatives and audiovisuial materials are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some papers of living persons are restricted. Access to restricted portions may be arranged by request to the donor. Gloves required for unprotected photographs. Viewing film portions of the collection and listening to LP recording requires special appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.

Collection Rights:

The Archives Center does not own exclusive rights to these materials. Copyright for all materials is retained by the donor, Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.; permission for commercial use and/or publication may be requested from the donor through the Archives Center. Military Records for Franklin A. Robinson (b. 1932) and correspondence from Richard I. Damalouji (1961-2014) are restricted; written permission is needed to research these files. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

The Robinson and Via Family Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Sponsor:

Preservation of the 8mm films in this collection was made possible, in part, by a grant from the National Film Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Robinson and Via Family Papers

Robinson and Via Family Papers / Series 2: Robinson Family / 2.3: Robinson, Frank A.

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep84cfeef02-beb2-4607-aa01-532ed0d558f2

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0475-ref99

Artist:

Smith, Hobart, 1897-1965  Search this

Performer:

Smith, Hobart, 1897-1965  Search this

Collection Creator:

Asch, Moses  Search this

Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this

Folkways Records  Search this

Extent:

1 Sound recording (sound-tape reel, analog, 7 in.)

Culture:

Americans  Search this

Anglo-American  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Sound recordings

Place:

Appalachian Region, Southern -- Songs and music

Massachusetts

United States

Cambridge (Mass.)

Virginia

Contents:

Darling Nell--Railroad Bill--Little school boy--Soldier, soldier--Will You, My Darling, Be My Sweetheart--I am a pilgrim--Banging breakdown--That hot corn tipe--Coo-coo bird--Chinquapin pie--Sourwood mountain--John Brown's dream--Cripple creek--Fiddle blues--Soldier's joy

Track Information:

101 Darling Nell / Banjo.

102 Railroad Bill / Banjo.

103 The Little School Boy / Banjo.

104 Soldier, Soldier / Banjo.

105 Will You, My Darling, Be My Sweetheart / Banjo.

106 I Am a Pilgrim / Banjo.

107 Banging Breakdown / Banjo.

108 That Hot Corn Tipe / Banjo.

109 The Coo-Coo Bird / Banjo.

110 Chinquapin Pie / Banjo.

111 Soldier's Joy / Banjo.

112 John Brown's Dream / Fiddle.

113 Cripple Creek / Fiddle.

114 Fiddle Blues / Fiddle.

115 Sourwood Mountain / Fiddle.

116 Homestead on the Farm / Fiddle.

Local Numbers:

FW-ASCH-7RR-1510

Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:

Recorded in: Cambridge (Mass.), United States, Massachusetts, May 12, 1963.

General:

CDR copy

Restrictions:

Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.

Collection Rights:

Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.

Topic:

Ballads  Search this

Folk songs -- United States  Search this

Banjo  Search this

Violin  Search this

Collection Citation:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

CFCH.ASCH, Item FW-ASCH-7RR-1510

See more items in:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection

Moses and Frances Asch Collection / Series 9: Audio Recordings / CD / CDR copy

Archival Repository:

Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk5b9d65fd3-23e7-4add-b97c-ad19a9115837

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-cfch-asch-ref25803

Performer:

Seeger, Pete, 1919-2014  Search this

Kraber, Tony  Search this

Sanders, Betty  Search this

Collection Creator:

Asch, Moses  Search this

Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this

Folkways Records  Search this

Extent:

1 Sound recording (sound-tape reel, analog, 7 in.)

Culture:

Americans  Search this

Anglo-American  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Sound recordings

Place:

United States

New York

Contents:

Spanish song--Bay of Mexico--Mrs. McGrath--Blood on the saddle--How do you know?--One dollar bill--Take me home little bird--Foggy dew--Bourgeois blues--East Virginia--Putting on the style--Rolling along--Bells of Rhymney

Track Information:

101 Spanish Song / Banjo. Spanish language.

102 Bay of Mexico / English language.

103 Mrs. McGrath / Pete Seeger. English language.

104 Blood on the Saddle / Tony Kraber. English language.

105 How Do You Know? / Tony Kraber. English language.

106 One Dollar Bill / Tony Kraber. English language.

107 Take Me Home Little Bird / Betty Sanders. English language.

108 Foggy Dew / Pete Seeger. Recorder (Muscial instrument). English language.

109 Bourgeois Blues / Pete Seeger. Guitar. English language.

110 East Virginia / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.

111 Putting on the Style / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.

112 Rolling Along / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.

113 The Bells of Rhymney / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.

Local Numbers:

FW-ASCH-7RR-4888

Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:

Recorded in: New York, United States.

General:

CDR copy- Disc 395

Restrictions:

Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.

Collection Rights:

Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.

Topic:

Folk songs -- United States  Search this

Folksong revival  Search this

Banjo  Search this

Recorder (Muscial instrument)  Search this

Guitar  Search this

Collection Citation:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

CFCH.ASCH, Item FW-ASCH-7RR-4888

See more items in:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection

Moses and Frances Asch Collection / Series 9: Audio Recordings / CD / CDR copy

Archival Repository:

Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk5c9101b84-9880-48a9-a0f7-9e1236581518

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-cfch-asch-ref26573

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Westover (Charles City, Virginia)

United States of America -- Virginia -- Charles City County -- Charles City

Scope and Contents:

Folders include work sheets, brochures, HABS report, and copies of articles.

General:

In 1638, Captain Thomas Paulett patented 2,000 acres, which he called "Westopher," supposedly in honor of the West brothers, the Lords Delaware. After William Byrd came into possession in 1688, he increased the property to 26,231 acres and built the first Westover dwelling ca. 1690. Byrd's son, William, began the erection of the manor-house in 1726.

A two-acre walled garden contained box borders. The central point of the gardens is the monument marking the tomb of William Byrd, II. Colonel John Selden added to the landscape by planting the row of tulip poplars. Drewery, a former owner, destroyed 3/4 of the garden wall to use for a stable. The garden was then ploughed up and then planted in vegetables. Between 1901 and 1905, the wall was rebuilt on the old foundations. Turfed walkways, crossing each other at right angles, were lined with flowers and tea roses in 1909. Mrs. Sears Ramsay planted all the trees around the "bowling green" to the north of the house. Richard Crane's daughter donated a historic preservation easement on Westover to the state in 1974 when it became a National Historic Landmark.

Persons associated with the property include: Captain Thomas Paulett (former owner, 1638); Sir John Paulett (former owner); Otho Soutcoat (former owner of part, 1665); Theodorick Bland (former owner, 1665); Theodorick and Richard Bland (former owners); William Bird (former owner, 1688); William Byrd, II (former owner); William Byrd, III. (former owner); William Carter (former owner, 1814); Mr. Douthat (former owner); Harrisons of Brandon (former owners); Colonel John Selden (former owner, 1829); Major Drewery (former owner, 1862); Mrs. Clarise Sears Ramsay (former owner, 1898); and Richard Crane (former owner, 1921).

Related Materials:

Westover related holdings consist of 4 folders (18 35 mm. slides and 29 glass lantern slides)

See others in:

Hollerith Collection, ca. 1970?

Collection Restrictions:

Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Rights:

Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Topic:

Gardens -- Virginia -- Charles City  Search this

Collection Citation:

Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Sponsor:

A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Identifier:

AAG.GCA, File VA013

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Virginia

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb62750c7d7-5ec9-4723-96fe-19680e3fb1cf

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref18800

Former owner:

Jones, Churchill  Search this

Bailey, Fleming G.  Search this

Bailey, Elizabeth H.  Search this

Mays, Albert O.  Search this

Pratt, John Lee  Search this

Sullivan, Mark  Search this

Devore, Daniel Bradford  Search this

Landscape architect:

Shipman, Ellen, 1869-1950  Search this

Owners:

United States. National Park Service  Search this

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Chatham (Fredericksburg, Virginia)

United States of America -- Virginia -- City of Fredericksburg -- Fredericksburg

Scope and Contents:

The folder includes worksheets and photocopies from other publications.

General:

Chatham, a Federal style mansion with numerous outbuildings, was built by William and Anne Randolph Fitzhugh from 1768 to 1771. William Fitzhugh (1742-ca. 1790) was a prominent citizen of colonial Virginia, member of the House of Burgesses, the House of Delegates, and the Continental Congress. The house is set on a hill overlooking the Rappahannock River and the historic town of Fredericksburg. More than 1,200 acres surrounded the house and were farmed by slaves. The property was named for the Earl of Chatham and the house and gardens were English in style. The garden was laid out in terraces leading to the river with a broad Adams style (neoclassical) stairway leading from the house. The original ornamental gardens did not survive occupation by the Union army during the Civil War, but were restored to emulate the style of their original 18th century design in ca. 1924 by landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman when the property was owned by Colonel and Mrs. Daniel B. Devore. Garden features at this time included a terracotta statue of Diana, box edged parterres, extensive rose gardens, Virginia red cedars used as borders, and eight bird gardens with birdhouses and runs for pheasants or peacocks.

The gardens designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman ca. 1924 included extensive flower beds planted for successive display throughout the growing season, beginning with snowdrops and daffodils, and ending with chrysanthemums. There were box-edged beds of Darwin tulips, iris, phlox, delphinium, Madonna lilies, and many other species. There were clipped cedar hedges, an avenue of dogwood, espaliered fruit trees, and painted brick piers with Ionic capitals planted with roses.

Much of Shipman's garden was discontinued in the 1950s during the ownership of John Lee Pratt, although the rose garden and boxed parterres were maintained. Further restoration of the Colonial-era gardens has been carried out since the property was deeded to the National Park Service in 1975. The Garden Club of Virginia funded a fellowship to document the garden in 2006.

William Fitzhugh and descendants owned the property from 1768 to 1806. Major Churchill Jones and descendants owned Chatham from 1806 to 1872, although the family left during the Civil War ca. 1862-1865 while the house was used as headquarters and hospital by the Union army. Oliver Watson and family owned Chatham from 1872 to 1889. Chatham was owned by Albert O. Mays from 1889 to 1900. Fleming G. and Elizabeth H. Bailey were the owners from 1900 to 1909. The Howard and Smith families owned the property from 1909 to 1914. Chatham was purchased by Mark Sullivan in 1914 and sold to Colonel and Mrs. Daniel Bradford Devore in 1920, who then sold in 1931 to John Lee Pratt, who willed Chatham to the National Park Service in 1975. It is now included in the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park and is open to the public.

Persons associated with the garden include William Fitzhugh and descendants (former owners, 1768-1806), Major Churchill Jones and descendants (former owners, 1806-1872), Oliver Watson and family (former owners, 1872-1889), Albert O. Mays (former owner, 1889-1900), Fleming G. and Elizabeth H. Bailey (formers owners, 1900-1909), Howard and Smith families (former owners, 1909-1914), Mark Sullivan (former owner, 1914-1920), Colonel and Mrs. Daniel Bradford Devore (former owners, 1920-1931), John Lee Pratt (former owner, 1931-1975), National Park Service (owner, 1975-present) and Ellen Biddle Shipman (landscape architect, redesigned and replanted Chatham in ca. 1924).

Related Materials:

Chatham related holdings consist of 1 folder (6 glass lantern slides)

Additional photographs are also located in the Francis Benjamin Johnston Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.

Additional materials also located in the National Park Service Preliminary Historic Resource Study.

See others in:

Chatham, ca. 1930s.

Collection Restrictions:

Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Rights:

Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Topic:

Gardens -- Virginia -- Fredericksburg  Search this

Colonial Revival  Search this

Collection Citation:

Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Sponsor:

A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Identifier:

AAG.GCA, File VA037

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Virginia

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb6ef779daa-c151-46d6-acfc-8cfff9dff66b

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref18823

Former owner:

Clark, Stephen C. Jr.  Search this

Clark, Jane Forbes  Search this

Arboretum designer:

Rowley, Polly P.  Search this

Committee head:

Rowley, Polly P.  Search this

Landscape architect:

Starke, Barry W.  Search this

Tindall, Ian  Search this

Foster, Susie  Search this

Committee member:

Augenblick, Barbara  Search this

Morency, Mike  Search this

Hoovler, Karen  Search this

Gardener:

Vella, Matthew  Search this

Dornin, Bob  Search this

Looney, Greg  Search this

Faculty:

Dornin, Bob  Search this

Looney, Greg  Search this

Provenance:

Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club  Search this

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

The Hill School Arboretum (Middleburg, Virginia)

United States of America -- Virginia -- Loudoun -- Middleburg

Scope and Contents:

The folder includes worksheets and photocopies of articles and images.

General:

The arboretum was created on the 132-acre farm that was donated to the private pre-K through 8th grade Hill School in 1992. A landscaping committee decided that the mission of the arboretum would be to grow examples of both native and alien trees that have adapted to the region to be used as an environmental teaching facility for children and as a community resource. The initial plan was broken into stages, planting was done over several years, and the vision for the arboretum was that it would look like a country estate in 100 years. Eight distinct areas were identified that would be planted over time with more than 200 species of trees and shrubs in combinations that emphasize differing leaf shapes and bark textures for the children to study. Planning included respect for the instinctive pathways of children pursing daily activities while also promoting appreciation and respect for the natural environment. The arboretum provides habitat for birds and wildlife, another aspect that would be incorporated into the curriculum of the school.

When there was dissatisfaction with the contractors hired for the work members of the committee took charge themselves. There were drainage problems in some areas and the location of differing stands of trees had to be determined in part by soil conditions. Young trees were purchased that were easier to transplant successfully and less costly, although some of the specialty trees had to be kept in the chairwoman's nursery for three years until they were ready to be planted out. Community support included donations of tons of manure and humus from nearby farms.

Persons associated with the garden include Stephen C. Clark, Jr. and Jane Forbes Clark (former owners, 1945-1992); Polly P. Rowley (arboretum designer and committee head, 1992- ); Barry W. Starke (ASLA), Earth Design Associates (landscape architect, 1992-1993); Ian Tindall and Susie Foster, HOH Associates (landscape architects, 1992-1993); Barbara Augenblick, Mike Morency and Karen Hoovler (Hill School committee, 1992-1995); Matthew Vella (gardener, 1992-1998); Bob Dornin and Greg Looney (Hill School grounds supervisor and gardener, 1992-1998).

Related Materials:

The Hill School Arboretum related holdings consist of 1 folder (22 digital images)

Collection Restrictions:

Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Rights:

Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Topic:

Gardens -- Virginia -- Middleburg  Search this

Collection Citation:

Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Sponsor:

A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Identifier:

AAG.GCA, File VA490

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Virginia

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb64e473e31-526b-47b6-8ca7-13b8b8f63f38

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref18854

Former owner:

Taylor, James  Search this

Williams, Lewis B.  Search this

Williams, William Clayton Mr. Mrs.  Search this

Landscape architect:

Gillette, Charles F.  Search this

Architect:

Craven, Thomas  Search this

Hale, Billy  Search this

Provenance:

Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton  Search this

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Little Yatton (Orange, Virginia)

United States of America -- Virginia -- Orange County -- Orange

Scope and Contents:

The folders include worksheets, garden plans, a plant list, a photocopy of a 1987 article about the garden from Garden Design, and copies of correspondence about the garden and its documentation.

General:

This garden in rural Virginia was established in 1936 and is one of the earliest gardens designed to showcase wildflowers and woodland plants in a naturalistic setting. The focal point is a sunken garden to which one descends from the house. A glade with steep banks of azaleas, wildflowers, and shade-loving plants, it surrounds an ornamental pool with a delicate, bird-shaped fountain. A wooden gazebo provides a sheltered area for sitting, while tall, deciduous trees provide a naturalistic structure and open views to pastures and the surrounding countryside.

Persons associated with the property include: James Taylor (former owner, 1722); Lewis B. Williams (former owner, 1843); Mr. and Mrs. William Clayton Williams (former owners, before 1940); Charles Gillette (landscape architect, 1940-1960); Thomas Craven (architect); and Billy Hale (architect, 1937).

Related Materials:

Little Yatton related holdings consist of 2 folders (9 35 mm. slides)

Collection Restrictions:

Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Rights:

Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Topic:

Gardens -- Virginia -- Orange  Search this

Collection Citation:

Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Sponsor:

A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Identifier:

AAG.GCA, File VA254

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Virginia

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb609234de1-e109-4724-ba6b-78a15c9bab49

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref18866

Provenance:

Garden Club of Alexandria  Search this

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Tregaron (Vienna, Virginia)

United States of America -- Virginia -- Fairfax -- Vienna

Scope and Contents:

The folder includes worksheets.

General:

A five-acre parcel from a defunct 68-acre farm with an abandoned farmhouse was purchased in 1979 and over the years has been transformed into a rambling, European inspired garden by the owners. Boxwood hedges were planted and more boxwood was started from cuttings to create a parterre centered by a stone basin on a pedestal. An iron gate at the end of the dirt and gravel road that leads to this hilltop property is sided by white stucco walls planted with boxwood and pyracantha. The first garden installed after the new house was built, known as the wildflower-shade garden includes rhododendrons, azaleas, alliums, ferns, spring bulbs, ivy, Virginia bluebells, hellebores and whatever the birds and squirrels bring. This cottage garden is enclosed by stucco walls with plantings, primarily shrubs, on either side. Other beds were laid out with curving borders edged with Belgian block and low dry stone walls built by the owner. A long serpentine dry stone wall defines a garden room separate from the lawn, and more rooms have been added including beds for perennials and parterres for vegetables and flowers. Antique and other limestone features have been added over the years, including birdbaths, urns, statues, and obelisks.

The garden has been enclosed in a deer fence, allowing hostas, roses, daylilies and other flowers and flowering shrubs to thrive. Honeysuckle and clematis vines were planted inside the fence and varieties of tall grasses were planted outside the fence. Flowering shrubs are taking precedence over perennials and are trimmed after they bloom.

Related Materials:

Tregaron related holdings consist of 1 folder (15 digital images)

Collection Restrictions:

Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Rights:

Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Topic:

Gardens -- Virginia -- Vienna  Search this

Collection Citation:

Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Sponsor:

A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Identifier:

AAG.GCA, File VA446

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Virginia

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb612bafa10-7f6d-470b-8cce-cbf0eed71ecf

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref18915

Former owner:

Walker, Thomas Dr  Search this

Walker, Judith Page  Search this

Rives, Alfred Landon Col  Search this

Rives, Amelia  Search this

Lawrence, Clark J., Col.  Search this

Lawrence, Clark J., Mrs.  Search this

Bird, Michael Donald, Mrs.  Search this

Cabell, William Mr Mrs  Search this

Cabell, William, Mrs.  Search this

Landscape architect:

Hopkins, Alden  Search this

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Castle Hill (Cobham, Virginia)

Scope and Contents:

Folder includes work sheet, brochures, garden map, grounds tour, and copies of articles.

General:

The mansion consists of two parts--the first built in 1764 by Dr. Thomas Walker and the second in 1824 by Senator and Mrs. William Cabell Rives. An hour-glass lawn and giant boxwood hedges make up a part of the landscape. Garden "rooms" were also created. In 1930, the landscape was described as "a great square, bounded on the north side by a high brick wall against which stand fig bushes, and enclosed on the other three sides by a Colonial arrowhead picket-fence. The garden lies in four deep terraces." (Potts 1930) The estate was open to the public from 1972 until ca. 1990. About ten years later the house was sold separate from the property. The house was subsequently moved off its foundations to a different location.

Persons associated with the property include: Dr. Thomas Walker (former owner, 1764); Senator and Mrs. William Cabell Rives (former owners, 1864); Col. Alfred Landon Rives (former owner); Amelie Rives (former owner); Col. and Mrs. Clark J. Lawrence (former owner, 1947); Mrs. Donald-Michael Bird (former owner, 1972); Wayne Newton (former owner); Alden Hopkins (landscape architect, 1947); and Judith Rives (designer of front lawn, 1832).

Related Materials:

Castle Hill related holdings consist of 1 folder (4 35 mm. slides and 5 glass lantern slides)

See others in:

Castle Hill, ca.1930-1984.

Collection Restrictions:

Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Rights:

Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Topic:

Gardens -- Virginia -- Cobham  Search this

Collection Citation:

Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Sponsor:

A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Identifier:

AAG.GCA, File VA026

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Virginia

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb67fc0eab6-736c-409a-951d-16f63a0e8253

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref18940

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Extent:

1 Slide (col.)

Type:

Archival materials

Slides

Place:

Virginia -- Charles City

Westover (Charles City, Virginia)

United States of America -- Virginia -- Charles City County -- Charles City

Date:

1996 May.

Local Call Number(s):

11895

Collection Restrictions:

Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Rights:

Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Topic:

Spring  Search this

Overthrow (gates)  Search this

Gates -- Iron  Search this

Sculpture  Search this

Finials  Search this

Columns  Search this

Lawns  Search this

Gardens -- Virginia -- Charles City  Search this

Birds -- Design elements  Search this

Collection Citation:

Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Sponsor:

A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Identifier:

AAG.GCA, Item VA013035

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Virginia / VA013: Charles City -- Westover

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb6dafd1855-5680-4f34-bf82-a8c1c1eab91a

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref19060