George H. Richards Watertown campus correspondence

Creator:

• Allen, Edward E. (Edward Ellis), 1861-1950, author
• Parker, William Stanley, author
• Richard, George H., collector
• Sturgis, R. Clipston (Richard Clipston), 1860-1951, author

Date Range:

1907-1918

Call Number:

AG115

Abstract:

The George H. Richards Watertown Campus Correspondence 1907-1918 collection contains correspondence collected by the office of George H. Richards, Perkins’s building committee chairman, in reference to land purchase, planning, building, and upkeep for the Perkins Watertown Campus. Correspondence is primarily authored by the office of R. Clipston Sturgis, the architect.

Extent:

1 manuscript box, 1 narrow manuscript box, 1 oversize box (2.5 linear feet)

Language:

Materials entirely in English

Processed by:

Ashley Williams, 2017

Processing Note:

Correspondence originally housed in a binder and titled “Correspondence 1908-1918 Construction at Watertown from the office of George H. Richards.”

Biographical/Historical notes:

Richard Clipston Sturgis (1860 –1951) generally known as R. Clipston Sturgis, was born a Boston native. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Art from Harvard in 1881 and began his career as an architect working for his uncle, John Hubbard Sturgis, at the office of Sturgis and Brigham. He took over his uncle’s business in 1886 and retired in 1932. During his lifetime, he served as the president of the Boston Society of Architects and both president and vice president for the American Institute of Architects. He is most known for his roles in building the First National Bank of Boston, Perkins Institution for the Blind Watertown Campus, and the Arlington Town Hall.

Sources of information:

[In progress]

Restrictions:

Blueprints are subject to possible restrictions.

Copyright:

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Perkins School for the Blind, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Credit line/Citation:

AG115 George H. Richards Watertown Campus Correspondence 1907-1918. Perkins School for the Blind Archive, Watertown, MA.

Scope/Contents:

This collection documents correspondences regarding the planning, building, and upkeep of the Perkins Institution Watertown Campus. Blueprints, planning sketches, bills, postcards, contracts, and leases are a few of the items included among the letters. George H. Richards was the primary recipient of these letters, but some major correspondents include Edward E. Allen, R. Clipston Sturgis, Horton and Hemenway, Hollis French and Allen Hubbard, Richard M. Saltonstall, and William Endicott. Correspondences cover topics such as the purchase of the Stickney Estate, construction bids, campus repairs, organs, and a bell donation from the Wheelwright family.

Arrangement:

3 boxes maintained in original order, arranged chronologically backward from 1918-1907

Key To Abbreviations:

B1:F1 = Box 1: Folder 1

OS= Oversized

incl.= includes

Related collections:

AG1 Edward E. Allen Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

AG41 Watertown Campus Clippings and Correspondence Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

Container List:

Box: 1

• B1:F1:  Correspondence October 1918-July 1918
• B1:F2:  Correspondence May 1916-April 1916
• B1:F3: Correspondence December 1915-March 1915
• B1:F4: Correspondence February 1915- January 1915
• B1:F5: Correspondence December 1914-July 1914
• B1:F6: Correspondence April 1914-August 1913
• B1:F7: Correspondence June 1913-April 1913
• B1:F8: Correspondence in Reference to the Death of Joseph Rodrigo
• B1:F9: Correspondence April 1913-February 1913
• B1:F10: Correspondence January 1913
• B1:F11: Correspondence December 1912-November 1912
• B1:F12: Correspondence October 1912-September 1912
• B1:F13: Correspondence August 1912-July 1912
• B1:F14: Correspondences in Reference to Wheelright Bell Donation
• B1:F15: Correspondence July 1912-June 1912
• B1:F16: Correspondence May 1912-April 1912
• B1:F17: Correspondence March 1912
• B1:F18: Correspondence March 1912-February 1912
• B1:F19: Correspondence January 1912-December 1911
• B1:F20: Correspondence November 1911
• B1:F21: Correspondence November 1911-October 1911
• B1:F22: Correspondence October 1911-September 1911
• B1:F23: Correspondence August 1911-July 1911
• B1:F24: Correspondence June 1911-May 1911
• B1:F25: Correspondence April 1911-March 1911
• B1:F26: Correspondence February 1911
• B1:F27: Correspondence January 1911-December 1910
• B1:F28: Correspondence November 1910
• B1:F29: Correspondence October 1910-September 1910
• B1:F30: Correspondence August 1910-July 1910
• B1:F31: Correspondence June 1910
• B1:F32: Correspondence May 1910-April 1910
• B1:F33: Correspondence March 1910-February 1910
• B1:F34: Correspondence January 1910
• B1:F35: Undated Unsigned Handwritten Note
• B1:F36: Correspondence December 1909
• B1:F37: Correspondence November 1909-October 1909
• B1:F38: Williams Stanley Parker Letter & Institution Sketch
• B1:F39: Correspondence September 1909-August 1909
• B1:F40: Correspondence July 1909

Box 2

• B2:F1: Undated Unsigned Handwritten Note
• B2:F2: Correspondence July 1909-March 1909
• B2:F3: O’Connell Real Estate
• B2:F4: Correspondence March 1909
• B2:F5: Undated Postcard
• B2:F6: Correspondence Feb 1909 [incl. Property description]
• B2:F7: Correspondence February 1909-December 1908

Box 3

• B3:F1: Perkins Institution and Massachusetts School for the Blind General Layout by R. Clipston Sturgis
• B3:F2: W.L. Waples Company Contract
• B3:F3: The Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind Floor Plans
• B3:F4: Horton & Hemenway Contract Amendment
• B3:F5: Perkins Institution Watertown Campus Layout, R. Clipston Sturgis
• B3:F6: Itemized Bill, July 12, 1911    
• B3:F7: Kindergarten & Institution Account, February 1910
• B3:F8: Stickney Estate Lease, March 1909
• B3:F9: Property Boundary Drawing
• B3:F10: Stickney Estate Lease, December 1907

Provenance:

This collection was accumulated by the office of George H. Richards.

Subject headings:

• Perkins School for the Blind–History
• Allen, Edward E. (Edward Ellis), 1861-1950
• Sturgis, R. Clipston (Richard Clipston), 1860-1951
• Massachusetts–Watertown