Search Results

Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Names:

New York Flower Show  Search this

Extent:

37000 Slides (photographs) (35mm slides)

33 Linear feet ((garden files))

3,000 Lantern slides

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Slides (photographs)

Lantern slides

Plans (drawings)

Brochures

Articles

Correspondence

Clippings

Date:

circa 1920-present

Summary:

This collection contains over 37,000 35mm slides, 3,000 glass lantern slides and garden files that may include descriptive information, photocopied articles (from journals, newspapers, or books), planting lists, correspondence, brochures, landscape plans and drawings. Garden files were compiled by Garden Club of America (GCA) members for most of the gardens included in the collection. Some gardens have been photographed over the course of several decades; others only have images from a single point in time. In addition to images of American gardens, there are glass lantern slides of the New York Flower Show (1941-1951) and trips that GCA members took to other countries, including Mexico (1937), Italy, Spain, Japan (1935), France (1936), England (1929), and Scotland.

A number of the slides are copies of historic images from outside repositories including horticultural and historical societies or from horticultural books and publications. The GCA made a concerted effort in the mid-1980s to acquire these images in order to increase its documentation of American garden history. Because of copyright considerations, use of these particular images may be restricted.

Biographical/Historical note:

The Garden Club of America was established in 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when the Garden Club of Philadelphia and eleven other garden clubs met to create a national garden club. Its purpose is to foster the knowledge and love of gardening and to restore and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and gardening and conservation efforts. The GCA was incorporated in Delaware in 1923, with its headquarters established in New York City. Today, local clubs are organized under twelve regional zones. The GCA continues its tradition of hosting flower shows and publishing material related to gardening in the United States.

The GCA's glass lantern slides were used by The GCA for presentations and lectures about notable gardens throughout the United States dating back to colonial times. An effort was made in the late 1980s, in preparation of the 75th anniversary of the Garden Club of America's founding, to collect the disbursed slides. These slides were to eventually form the Slide Library of Notable American Parks and Gardens. The informational value of this collection is extensive since a number of images of the more than 4,500 gardens represented show garden designs that have changed over time or no longer exist. While the majority of images document a range of designed upper and upper-middle class gardens throughout the U.S., the scope of the collection is expanding as volunteers photograph and document contemporary gardens including community and vernacular gardens.

The gardens illustrate the design work of dozens of landscape architects including Marian Coffin, Beatrix Farrand, Lawrence Halprin, Hare & Hare, Umberto Innocenti, Gertrude Jekyll, Jens Jensen, Warren Manning, the Olmsted Brothers, Charles Platt, Ellen Biddle Shipman, and Fletcher Steele. Because of their proximity to the gardens, works of notable architects and sculptors may also be featured in the images.

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.

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 -- France  Search this

Gardens -- Italy  Search this

Gardens -- Japan  Search this

Gardens -- Mexico  Search this

Flower shows  Search this

Gardening -- United States -- societies, etc  Search this

Gardens -- England  Search this

Landscape architecture  Search this

Gardens -- United States  Search this

Gardens -- Spain  Search this

Gardens -- Scotland  Search this

Genre/Form:

Plans (drawings)

Brochures

Articles

Correspondence

Clippings

Lantern slides

Slides (photographs)

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

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb617385372-1028-4cb7-b07d-04fea2e51c47

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-aag-gca

Former owner:

Ross, William C.  Search this

Ross, William C., Mrs.  Search this

McNabb, Helen R.  Search this

Plantsman:

Adams, Paul  Search this

Architect:

Barber & McMurry  Search this

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Rostrevor (Knoxville, Tennessee)

United States of America -- Tennessee -- Knox County -- Knoxville

Scope and Contents:

The folder includes work sheets, copies of a talk by W. R. McNabb on Knoxville gardens, photocopies of correspondence regarding Rostrevor and other Knoxville gardens, copies of the "routine of work" for Rostrevor, and other information.

General:

Rostrevor was the garden of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Ross; its elements were installed primarily between 1911 and 1928. In the latter year the Rosses added a formal garden largely of their own design, said to be based on one they had admired at the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Terraces and a pergola provided the framework for plantings in bloom from March until November. The 12-acre site also included a rock garden made by Paul Adams, extensive lawns bordered by flowering shrubs, elms for shade, and a swimming pool. Most of the images are copies of originals commissioned about 1935 by Mrs. Ross.

Persons and organizations associated with the garden include: Mr. and Mrs. William C. Ross (former owners, 1911-1968); Helen R. McNabb (former owner, 1968-1972); Paul Adams (plantsman); and Barber & McMurry (architects, ca. 1911-1928).

Related Materials:

Rostrevor related holdings consist of 1 folder (24 35 mm. slides (photographs))

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 -- Tennessee -- Knoxville  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 TN028

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

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

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb601331749-4fb7-499d-8177-cf552dbaa50d

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref10910

Provenance:

Green Tree Garden Club  Search this

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Pickerel Run (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

United States of America -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee County -- Milwaukee

Scope and Contents:

The folder includes a work sheet, site plans, and narrative description.

General:

The decorative arts and architecture from 17th century New England served as inspiration for this garden. The site for the garden was prepared in fall of 1981 and built in spring 1982. The layout of the raised geometric beds, gravel paths, and picket fence was modeled after early Colonial designs. The central beds are devoted to herbs. The outer beds hold perennial flowers, similar to those of Colonial New England. By contrast, the garden beds around the house are filled with native plants. A knot garden of green velvet boxwood, inspired by an inlay design on an early 18th century Pennsylvania chest, was added to the kitchen terrace. The beds adjacent to the knot garden, composted only of green and white white, service as a "restful haven under the shade of the the surrounding giant oak trees."

Persons and firms associated with the garden include: Aimee Scott Sheets (horticulturist, 2001-?).

Related Materials:

Pickerel Run related holdings consist of 1 folder (22 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 -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee  Search this

Raised bed gardening  Search this

Formal gardens  Search this

Herb gardens  Search this

Woodland gardens  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 WI037

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

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

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb6f2fc2669-b301-43b2-a06d-12f0417ef893

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref11677

Former owner:

Hertle, Louis  Search this

Mason, George, 1725-1792  Search this

Architect:

Buckland, William, 1734-1774  Search this

Restoration architect:

Kimball, Fiske, 1888-1955  Search this

Landscape architect:

Hopkins, Alden  Search this

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Gunston Hall (Mason Neck, Virginia)

United States of America -- Virginia -- Fairfax County -- Mason Neck

Scope and Contents:

Folders include worksheets, brochures, and copies of articles.

Five 35 mm. slides have not been catalogued. They include copies of images from Better Homes and Gardens America's Gardens (p. 22); brochure aerial view; and Historic Virginia Gardens (pp. 110-111, 300, and 301).

General:

George Mason built Gunston Hall between 1753 and 1755. The house and gardens remained in the Mason family until the 1860s. After the Civil War ended, owners worked to restore the house and gardens which were destroyed by troops. Louis Hertle added a perola, rose garden with hybrid tea roses, and a reflecting pool. By 1934, nothing remained of the eighteenth-century garden except for the box hedge. When the Garden Club of Virginia took over the garden restoration, the pools, fountains, figures, summer house, roses, and flowering cherry trees were removed. Four parterres along the boxwood walk were planted in dwarf box. Also, two Chinese Chippendale gazebos were built on the outer corners of the lower terrace. The gardens and museum are open to the public.

Persons associated with the property include: George Mason (former owner, 1755-1792); General Robert Gibson Smith or Colonel Edward Daniels (former owner, ca. 1870); Jospeh Specht (former owner); Paul Kester (former owner, 1907-1913); Louis Hertle (former owner, 1913-1949); Commonwealth of Virginia (owner); William Buckland (architect, ca. 1753); National Society of Colonial Dames (caretakers, 1932-present); Alden Hopkins (landscape designer, ca. 1950); Glenn Brown (architect for restorations of house and grounds, ca. 1912); Garden Club of Virginia (garden designers); William and Harvey Nursery (transplanting box, 1952); and Thurman Bushrod (gardener).

Related Materials:

Gunston Hall related holdings consist of 1 folder (12 glass lantern slides and 10 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 -- Mason Neck  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 VA003

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/kb625fcaa7c-d5fb-4bbf-8e44-affd075ae63a

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref18938

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

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.

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.

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb653f5a4fa-71fe-4259-ab23-a33248a801d5

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref32850

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

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.

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.

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

The Garden Club of America collection / Glass Lantern Slide and Lecture Scripts

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb60b558b8f-c080-4b3f-a1be-99eee9120ef8

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref32866

Architect:

Lutyens, Edwin Landseer Sir, 1869-1944  Search this

Garden designer:

Jekyll, Gertrude, 1843-1932  Search this

Former resident:

Benson, Robert Henry, 1850-1929  Search this

Benson, Evelyn Holford, 1857-1943  Search this

Collection Creator:

Garden Club of America  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Place:

Buckhurst Park (Withyham, East Sussex, England)

United Kingdom -- England -- East Sussex -- Withyham

Scope and Contents:

The folder includes worksheets and an essay.

General:

Buckhurst Park, the home on Buckhurst Estate, dates from 1603 and was visited during the Garden Club of America's 1929 tour to England. An addition to the estate was made by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in the early twentieth century. Lutyens designed the gardens with the help of Gertrude Jekyll who assisted with plantings. The Buckhurst Estate served as inspiration for author A. A. Milne in the creation of Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood.

In 1902-1903, Lutyens and Jekyll created a terraced garden consisting of three levels for then-lessors Robert Henry Benson and Evelyn Benson. The top level contained a sunken lily pond. Lutyens also built two stone pergolas on the lowest level of the terrace. Revisiting the historic plantings for this garden, the current owner replanted the terrace in 2011 with lavender, salvia, alchemilla, gorse, digitalis, and various roses.

A complete copy of the GCA tour itinerary was printed in the Bulletin of the Garden Club of America (Fourth Series, No. 5), September 1929, pp. 6-25.

Persons associated with the garden include Robert Henry Benson and Evelyn Benson (former owners, 1920s), Sir Edward Lutyens (architect, 1902-1903) and Gertrude Jekyll (garden designer, 1902-1903).

Related Materials:

Buckhurst Park related holdings consist of 1 folder (4 lantern 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 -- England -- East Sussex -- Withyham  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 ENG004

See more items in:

The Garden Club of America collection

The Garden Club of America collection / Series 2: International Garden Images / United Kingdom -- England

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Gardens

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb6eff5c131-1398-4711-aaaf-f0862371ef6e

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref4493

Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Collector:

National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of History of Technology  Search this

National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering  Search this

Extent:

33 Cubic feet (76 boxes, 46 map-folders)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Tracings

Correspondence

Drawings

Date:

1827-1987

Summary:

The collection consists of correspondence, invoices, drawings, photographs, and negatives and other printed literature documenting the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from its inception in 1827 to its merger with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in the 1960s.

Scope and Contents:

The collection consists of correspondence, engineering drawings, notes, photographs, transparencies, negatives, glass plate negatives, printed materials, and newspaper clippings documenting the Baltimore and Ohio railroad from its inception in 1827 to its merger with the Chesapeake and Ohio in the 1960s.

Arrangement:

The records are arranged into ten series.

Series 1, Historical Background, 1827-1987

Series 2, Bridge Histories, 1867-1966

Series 3, President's Office, 1826-1880

Series 4, Correspondence, 1826-1859

Series 5, Business Records, 1894-1914, and undated

Series 6, Agreement, 1870

Series 7, Drawings, 1858-1957, and undated

Subseries 7.1, Indices and Lists, 1924-1943, undated

Subseries 7.2, Bailey's Station, 1887; 1899; 1901

Subseries 7.3, Baltimore Belt Railroad, 1895, undated

Subseries 7.4, Bay View and Canton Bridges, 1884-1885

Subseries 7.5, Big Seneca Creek Viaduct, 1905

Subseries 7.6, Bollman Bridges, undated

Subseries 7.7, Boyds, Maryland Station, 1886; 1927

Subseries 7.8, Bridewell Station, undated

Subseries 7.9, Bridges (general), 1893-1917

Subseries 7.10, Brunswick, Maryland, 1890-1907

Subseries 7.11, Building Materials List, undated

Subseries 7.12, Building Signs, 1911-1912

Subseries 7.13, Camden Station, 1881-1942 (not inclusive)

Subseries 7.14, Camden Station (related), 1881-1915

Subseries 7.15, Centenary Bridge Models, 1927

Subseries 7.16, Central Office Building, undated

Subseries 7.17, Chestnut Street Station, 1925-1952

Subseries 7.18, Coaling facilities, water tanks, turntables, and miscellaneous structures, 1888-1912

Subseries 7.19, Cumberland Station, 1910-1955

Subseries 7.20, Curtis Bay Branch, 1900-1911

Subseries 7.21, Frederick Station, 1908-1915

Subseries 7.22, Hyattsville Station, 1913

Subseries 7.23, Keedysville Station, undated

Subseries 7.24, Laurel Station, undated

Subseries 7.25, Ledger, undated

Subseries 7.26, Lieperville Station, 1889

Subseries 7.27, Locust Point, 1881-1957

Subseries 7.28, Maps, 1862; 1918

Subseries 7.29, Martinsburg, West Virginia, 1913-1927

Subseries 7.30, Miscellaneous Buildings, 1875-1956

Subseries 7.31, Miscellaneous Large Photographs, undated

Subseries 7.32, Miscellaneous Structures, 1890-1916

Subseries 7.33: Mt. Clare (general)

Subseries 7.34, Mt. Clare New Blue Line Stable, 1899; 1905

Subseries 7.35, Mt. Clare New Car Shops, undated

Subseries 7.36, Mt. Royal Station, undated

Subseries 7.37, Newton Falls and Fairpoint, Ohio, 1909

Subseries 7.38, Patapsco River Bridge, 1883

Subseries 7.39, Plans for house no. 1846 (N. Gay Street, Baltimore, Maryland), undated

Subseries 7.40, Point of Rocks Station, 1951

Subseries 7.41, Scales, 1903

Subseries 7.42, Signal towers, 1900-1908

Subseries 7.43, Stations (general), 1866-1907

Subseries 7.44, Sykesville Station, undated

Subseries 7.45, Untitled, undated

Subseries 7.46, Warnings, 1894-1911

Subseries 7.47, Woodstock Station, undated

Subseries 7.48, Miscellaneous (rolled), 1858-1930 (not inclusive)

Series 8, Photographs and Copy Prints, 1872-1980s (not inclusive)

Subseries 8.1, Photographs, 1872-1980s

Subseries 8.2, Copy prints, 1901-1931, undated

Subseries 8.3, Indices and Lists, 1909-1920

Series 9, Negatives, 1850-1983 (bulk 1920s-1930s)

Subseries 9.1, Glass plate negatives (unidentified), undated

Subseries 9.2, Glass plate negatives (numbered), 1850-1957 (bulk 1920s-1930s)

Subseries 9.3, Negatives by number, undated

Subseries 9.4, Negatives by location, 1870; 1978-1983

Subseries 9.5, Negatives by subject, 1922-1930s, undated

Series 10, Stations and Buildings, 1884-1982

Biographical / Historical:

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) was the nation's first extensive steam powered railroad. It was founded by Baltimore merchants in 1827 as a means of promoting trade and making Baltimore competitive with other east coast ports. The original intent of the founders was to provide direct and fast access to the Ohio River, and the markets that the river reached. The railroad, however, went beyond the Ohio River and its lines went as far west as St. Louis and Chicago. The B&O was also known for its use of an electric locomotive in the mid 1890s. It also had a completely air conditioned train, and it was a forerunner in the use of diesel-electric locomotives. Company activities paralleled those of other American railroads and over the course of its life included expansion, near bankruptcy, innovations, regulations, and finally buy out. In February 1963, the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) completed its purchase of the B&O. Today, B&O is part of the CSX Transportation (CSX) network.

John Work Garrett president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 1858-1884, was born in Baltimore, Maryland July 31, 1820. He was the second son of Elizabeth Stouffer and Robert Garrett. He married Rachel Ann Harrison, the daughter of Thomas Harrison, a Baltimore merchant. They had one daughter, Mary and two sons Robert and Thomas Harrison Garrett.

After attending Lafayette College (Pennsylvania) for two years John W. Garrett left in 1836 to become associated with his father's commission business in Baltimore. The commission house which dealt in wholesale groceries, produce, forwarding and a commission business expanded to establish direct connections with Latin America, seek outlets in Europe and develop its own banking operations. In time its financial operations overshadowed the commission and shipping business.

When John W. Garrett began to invest heavily in Baltimore and Ohio Railroad stock, the road was in competition with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and the stock was not popular. Its value rose steadily over the years. Mr. Garrett was elected a director of the railroad in 1855. His report as chairman of a subcommittee on the need for additional funds to complete the line to the Ohio River led to his election to the presidency of the road on November 17, 1858, a position he held for 26 years. New policies with emphasis on economy, personal supervision and gradual expansion were inaugurated and consistently maintained, in spite of a general financial crisis, Mr. Garrett's first year in office showed a net gain in earnings.

Sympathetic to his southern friends during the Civil War, Mr. Garrett nevertheless supported the Union. He recognized the inevitability of Confederate defeat by superior northern resources. Confederate leaders blamed him for their inability to seize Washington and he received warm appreciation for his services to the Union cause from President Lincoln. The railroad stretched along the theater of war and twice crossed Confederate territory. It was, therefore, a main objective for southern attack. Branches were frequently damaged by Confederate raids, but the main line to Washington became important for the transport of troops and supplies. The Baltimore and Ohio carried out the first military rail transport in history and the transfer of 20,000 men from the Potomac to Chattanooga in 1863 was a major triumph for its president.

With the advent of peace Mr. Garrett turned to rebuilding and strengthening the railroad. He replaced equipment and track damaged by the war, then extended the system by securing direct routes to Pittsburgh and Chicago and arranging an independent line into New York. Wharves were built at Locust Point for ocean liners and a system of elevators erected. The B&O. built its own sleeping and dining cars, established hotels in the mountains and created its own express company. By 1880, after battles over rates with other trunk lines, a costly rivalry with the Pennsylvania Railroad over the eastern route and charges of discrimination against local shippers Mr. Garrett was at the height of his success. He cooperated in establishing the B. and 0. Employees Relief Association for accident and life insurance, a hospital system, saving and building funds, and arrangements for improving sanitation in the work place. He was on friendly terms with Johns Hopkins, a trustee of John Hopkins Hospital, and with George Peabody, founder of the Peabody institute of which he was also a trustee. Garrett County, Maryland was named in his honor.

John W. Garrett died on September 26, 1884 within a year of his wife's death in a carriage accident. During his connection with the railroad the stock increased from $57 to $200; at the outbreak of the Civil War the railroad was operating 514 miles of rail, gross earnings were $4,000,097 and net per mile was $4246.1 By 1864 gross earnings were $10,138,876 and net per mile, $7113.2 By the end of his presidency mileage had increased to 1711 miles and net earnings were $4535 per mile.3

References

1 -- National Cyclopedia of American Biography -- Vol. 18:3

2 -- National Cyclopedia of American Biography -- Vol. 18:3

3 -- National Cyclopedia of American Biography -- Vol. 18:3

Related Materials:

Materials at Other Organizations

Maryland Historical Society

Baltimore and Ohio Museum

Provenance:

This collection was donated to the National Museum of American History by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the 1960s.

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Topic:

Railroads  Search this

Engineering -- 19th century  Search this

Repairing -- Railroads  Search this

Railway engineering -- 1860-1890  Search this

Bridges  Search this

Construction  Search this

Genre/Form:

Tracings

Correspondence -- 19th century

Drawings -- 1860-1890

Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Identifier:

NMAH.AC.1086

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8e652d903-bb57-46a8-a205-c7cbfe89f444

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-1086

Collection Creator:

Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company  Search this

Wetherill Company  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Folder 3

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1911

Collection Restrictions:

Collection open for research on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Archives Center, Robert Wetherill Company Records, National Museum of American History.

See more items in:

Robert Wetherill Company Records

Robert Wetherill Company Records / Series 6: Miscellaneous

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep86cccbb55-e5a3-4d00-b249-8a39f12a47ca

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0992-ref560

Collection Creator:

Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company  Search this

Wetherill Company  Search this

Container:

Box 1, Folder 16

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1910

Collection Restrictions:

Collection open for research on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Archives Center, Robert Wetherill Company Records, National Museum of American History.

See more items in:

Robert Wetherill Company Records

Robert Wetherill Company Records / Series 6: Miscellaneous

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8fdbeec75-7ef1-41e3-80ed-044602f24edc

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0992-ref573

Collection Creator:

Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company  Search this

Wetherill Company  Search this

Container:

Box 49

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1914 January-1916 May

Collection Restrictions:

Collection open for research on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Archives Center, Robert Wetherill Company Records, National Museum of American History.

See more items in:

Robert Wetherill Company Records

Robert Wetherill Company Records / Series 6: Miscellaneous

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep86e6d0033-8d24-4b1e-bd70-0781fe4c1a79

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0992-ref557

Collection Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Collection Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Container:

Box 17, Item 629-Right

Type:

Archival materials

Negatives

Date:

1915-03-06

Collection Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records / Series 9: Negatives / 9.2: Glass Plate Negatives (Numbered)

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep896dd7da2-f6ab-4993-8387-3591225cdac4

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1086-ref7974

Collection Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Collection Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Container:

Box 17, Item 649-Right

Type:

Archival materials

Negatives

Date:

1915-03-16

Collection Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records / Series 9: Negatives / 9.2: Glass Plate Negatives (Numbered)

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8fdedd3cf-6708-45ac-ad0e-1514baf281e8

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1086-ref7975

Collection Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Collection Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Container:

Box 17, Item 650-Right

Type:

Archival materials

Negatives

Date:

1915-03-16

Collection Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records / Series 9: Negatives / 9.2: Glass Plate Negatives (Numbered)

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep85347bcc3-aaef-4abe-94ef-4cc05bd69f78

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1086-ref7976

Collection Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Collection Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Container:

Box 17, Item 659-Left

Type:

Archival materials

Negatives

Date:

1915-04-28

Collection Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records / Series 9: Negatives / 9.2: Glass Plate Negatives (Numbered)

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8d7886d60-2382-47cd-8342-dda222d2031a

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1086-ref7977

Collection Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Collection Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Container:

Box 22, Item 1464

Type:

Archival materials

Negatives

Date:

undated

Collection Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records / Series 9: Negatives / 9.2: Glass Plate Negatives (Numbered)

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep81f39c381-0339-43f9-a968-f1026374f4be

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1086-ref4132

Collection Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Collection Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Container:

Box 23, Item 1499

Type:

Archival materials

Negatives

Date:

8/21/1921

Collection Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records / Series 9: Negatives / 9.2: Glass Plate Negatives (Numbered)

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep848d1bfb2-7f8e-4018-949a-425faa09ba84

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1086-ref4168

Collection Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Collection Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Container:

Box 23, Item 1500

Type:

Archival materials

Negatives

Date:

8/21/1921

Collection Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records / Series 9: Negatives / 9.2: Glass Plate Negatives (Numbered)

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8c73562b1-dd61-4c10-91ba-7f8fefc231a5

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1086-ref4169

Collection Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Collection Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Container:

Box 23, Item 1501

Type:

Archival materials

Negatives

Date:

8/21/1921

Collection Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records / Series 9: Negatives / 9.2: Glass Plate Negatives (Numbered)

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8e3d4773b-b80e-4019-b453-38b40ad4f753

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1086-ref4170

Collection Author:

Garrett, John W. (John Work), 1820-1884  Search this

Latrobe, Benj. H. (Benjamin Henry), 1807-1878  Search this

Collection Creator:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company  Search this

Container:

Box 23, Item 1502

Type:

Archival materials

Negatives

Date:

8/21/1921

Collection Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs and glass plate negatives with gloves.

Collection Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Collection Citation:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

See more items in:

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Records / Series 9: Negatives / 9.2: Glass Plate Negatives (Numbered)

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8cf23fdb2-f61a-4a77-8c27-443a42f67aa8

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1086-ref4171