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Lawrence Grant White Architectural Plans and Drawings

Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Dumbarton Oaks Archives, Washington, D.C.

Repository: Dumbarton Oaks Archives, Washington, D.C.

Call Number: McKim, Mead & White Architects Drawings

Location: Archives 058, C2

Name of Creator(s): Lawrence Grant White and Various Office Staff

Title: Lawrence Grant White Architectural Plans and Drawings

Inclusive Date: ca. 1923–1927

Language(s): English

Quantity: 66 drawings

 

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: These plans and drawings came to Dumbarton Oaks at an unknown date.

Processing Information: The Lawrence Grant White Architectural Plans and Drawings were inventoried by James N. Carder in 2002.

Terms of Use and Access: These plans and drawings can be used for research and publication purposes.

Physical Access: An appointment is required for access to these plans and drawings. For appointment and queries, fill out the online form.

Preferred Citation: Lawrence Grant White Architectural Plans and Drawings, Dumbarton Oaks Archives. Courtesy of Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington, D.C.

 

Historical Note

Lawrence Grant White, son of the architect Stanford White, was born on September 26, 1887.  He received the degree of A.B. cum Laude from Harvard University in 1908 and a diploma from the École des Beaux-Arts, Paris, in 1913.  Between 1915 and 1917, he was associated with the architect Frederic Rhinlander King.  In 1919 he became a member of the architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White Architects, 101 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. White was a social acquaintance of Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss and had married Laura Astor Chanler, the daughter of the Blisses’ and Edith Wharton’s good friend, Margaret “Daisy” Chanler. White first came to Dumbarton Oaks on February 28, 1921, to be interviewed by Robert Bliss as a prospective architect for renovations and additions.  However, because Bliss had retained Frederick H. Brooke, who was still in his employ, White felt that it would be unethical to do work for Bliss at that time.  After Brooke left the project in 1923, White was engaged. The first mention of this comes in correspondence of April 16, 1923, from Mildred Bliss to Beatrix Farrand: “Robert is telephoning to Larry White to ask him to come down today or tomorrow to look at the lay of the incurable land, with view to drawing up plans for the far buildings...[which] can't be begun until next mid-winter.... [I]t will be such a pleasure to have the contact with Larry White that I hope his firm can undertake it.” In correspondence on August 18, 1924, with his colleague William Mitchell Kendall on the occasion of Mildred Bliss’s anticipated visit to the offices of McKim, Mead & White, he wrote of his patroness: “Her husband is only Minister to Sweden, but she is every inch an ambassadress, if not an empress!” [McKim, Mead & White Archive, New-York Historical Society, call no. 396.] Lawrence White designed the buildings of the Service Group at Dumbarton Oaks as well as the Music Room and the East Bay of the Living Room (now Founders' Room). He was president of the National Academy of Design. He died on September 7, 1956.

 

Additional architectural plans and drawings by McKim, Mead & White Architects for Dumbarton Oaks are in the McKim, Mead & White Archive, New-York Historical Society, New York, N.Y., call no. 396:

 

Service Group

  • Service Group at “The Oaks,” General Layout-Plan, Preliminary Layout, [ink/paper], 12/4/1923 [signed by J. Pendlebury];

 

Greenhouse

  • 1 Foundation Plan, [pencil/trace], 1/3/1925 with revisions
  • 2 Ground Floor Plan, [pencil/trace], 11/18/1924 with revisions;3 Front Elevation, [pencil/trace], 11/23/1924 with revisions;
  • 4 Rear Elevation, [pencil/trace], 1/3/1925 with revisions;
  • 5 Elevation & Sections, [pencil/trace], 1/2/1925 with revisions;
  • 301 Detail of Main Entrance, [pencil/trace], 1/10/1925;
  • 302 Part Inside and Outside Elevations and Section of Rear of Potting Room, [pencil/trace], 1/26/1925 with revision;

 

Orangery [Cool House]

  • 257 Electrical Work, [bp], 6/17/1926;
  • Plan and Elevation Showing Levels, [bp], 8/1/1925 with revisions;
  • 1 Orangery Foundation Plan, [pencil/trace], 8/12/1925 with revisions;
  • 2 Orangery Plan, [pencil/trace], 8/12/1925 with revisions;
  • 3 Orangery Roof Plan, [pencil/trace], 8/12/1925 with revision;
  • 4 Orangery East Elevation, [pencil/trace], 8/12/1925 with revision;
  • 5 Orangery North & South Elevations, [pencil/trace], 8/12/1925 with revisions;
  • 6 Orangery West Elevation, [pencil/trace], 8/12/1925 with revisions;
  • 7 Orangery Cross Section, [pencil/trace], 8/12/1925 with revision;
  • Orangery, Service Group, [pencil/trace], 11/14/1924;
  • Pipe Chases in Orangery, [pencil/trace], 7/19/1926;
  • 301 Orangery Detail of Casement Doors East Elevation, [pencil/trace], 8/14/1925 with revisions;
  • 302 Orangery Detail of Casement Windows South Elevation, [pencil/trace], 8/14/1925 with revisions;
  • 303 Orangery Details of Casement Doors North Elevation, [pencil/trace], 8/14/1925 with revisions;
  • 304 Orangery Detail of Casement Windows West Elevation, [pencil/trace], 8/14/1925 with revisions;
  • 306 Orangery Location of Leader Pipes, [pencil/trace], 8/14/1925;

Wm. H. Lutton Co. Greenhouse Builders, Jersey City, N.J.

  • Orangery [bp], 8/3/1925 with revisions;
  • Proposed Heating Plan of Orangery, [bp], 7/31/1925 with revision;

 

Wood Shed

  • 1 Plan and Elevation Wood Shed, [bp w/ white ink], 7/16/1926;
  • 301 Wood Shed—Details, [pencil/trace], 11/22/1926;
  • A Doors & Windows for Arched Openings in Woodshed, [pencil/trace], undated;

 

Gardener’s Cottage [many drawn and signed by J. Pendlebury]

  • 1 Basement Plan, [pencil/trace], 12/7/1924;
  • 2 First Floor Plan, [pencil/trace], 12/18/1924;
  • 3 Second Floor Plan, [pencil/trace], 12/20/1924;
  • 4 Roof Plan, [pencil/trace], 1/15/1925;
  • 5 Roof Framing Plan, [pencil/trace], 1/13/1925;
  • 6 South Elevation, [pencil/trace], 1/27/1925 with revision
  • 7 West Elevation, [pencil/trace], 12/29/1924 with revisions [shows original outside staircase to porch];
  • 8 North Elevation, [pencil/trace], 12/30/1924 with revisions;
  • 9 East Elevation, [pencil/trace], 12/31/1924 with revisions;
  • 10 Section, [pencil/trace], 1/5/1925;
  • 11 Ladder to Attic, [pencil/trace], 7/28/1925;
  • 11A Detail of Movable Stair, [pencil/trace], 8/18/1925;
  • 251 Basement Floor Plan, [bp], undated;
  • 252 First Floor Plan, [bp]. undated [shows, west side, living/dining room combined, kitchen # 2, porch; east side, living room, dining room, porch, kitchen # 1, in middle section, north side, including present west unit bathroom area];
  • 253 Second Floor Plan, [bp], undated [shows, each side, 2 bedrooms, bath at back];
  • 300 Detail of South Elevation, [pencil/trace], 1/30/1925 [shows all of wrought iron design and lead canopy; transom over door labeled: “leaded glass painted white;” urn finials labeled: limestone urns submit model”]
  • 301 Details of Rear Porch West Elevation, [pencil/trace], 2/5/1925 with revisions;
  • 302 Detail of Rear Porch & North Elevation,; [pencil/trace], 1/30/1925 with revisions;
  • 303 South Front Door and Porch, [pencil/trace], 3/20/1925 with revisions;
  • 304 Detail of East Area, [pencil/trace], 3/6/1925;
  • 305 Detail of Chimney, [pencil/trace], 1/31/1925;
  • 306 Detail of Stairs & FS Detail of Newel  & Rail, [pencil/trace], 4/16/1925;
  • 11 32nd St. Wall & Fence in Front of Gardener’s Cottage, [pencil/trace], 3/2/1927 and 3/9/1927 [not as built]

 

Garage [Refectory]

  • 1 Garage Footing Plan, [pencil/trace], 4/15/1925;
  • 2 Garage Ground Floor Plan, [pencil/trace], 4/2/1925 with revisions;
  • 3 Garage 1st Floor Plan, [pencil/trace], 4/2/1925 with revisions;
  • 3A Garage First Floor Plan East Wing, [pencil/trace], 4/2/1925;
  • 4 Garage Attic Plan, [pencil/trace], 4/2/1925;
  • 5 Garage South Elevation, [pencil/trace], 4/2/1925;
  • 6 Garage East and West Elevation, [pencil/trace], 4/2/1925;
  • 7 Garage North Elevation, [pencil/trace], 4/2/1925;
  • 8 Garage Cross Section Looking East & West, [pencil/trace], 4/7/1925;
  • 200 Garage Plumbing Section, [pencil/trace], 4/15/1925 with revisions;
  • 254 Garage Ground Floor Plan, [bp], 3/12/1925 with revision;
  • 255 Garage First Floor Plan, [bp], 3/12/1925;
  • 302 Garage Elevation and Section at North Side of Garage, [pencil/trace], 4/16/1925;
  • 303 Garage Main Entrance-Detail, [pencil/trace], 4/15/1925;
  • 304 Garage Detail of Metal Stairs in Boiler Room, [pencil/trace], 4/23/1925;
  • 305 Garage Detail of Wood Stairs to Attic, [pencil/trace], 4/23/1925;
  • 306 Garage Detail of Chimney, [pencil/trace], 4/25/1925;
  • 307 Garage Detail of Area Wall West Elev., [pencil/trace], 7/17/1925;
  • 308 Shelter for Gasoline Pump, [pencil/trace], 8/5/1925;
  • 309 Garage Detail of Concrete Floor over Boiler Room, [pencil/trace], 4/23/1925;
  • Garage Interior Elevation of Main Entrance, [pencil/trace], 5/28/1925;

 

Music Room

  • 302 Main Entrance Music Room on North Elevation; Elevation; Half Plan, [pencil/trace], 12/16/1926;
  • 305 Detail of Chimney & Grade at South Wall of Music Room; Elevation of South Wall of Music Room; Plan, [pencil/trace], 2/28/1927;
  • 306 Plan of Passage & Stairs to Music Room, [pencil/trace], 3/9/1927 [includes the following inscription: Note—St. George’s Marble Changed to Red Verona];
  • Suggested Change in Detail to Meet Existing Conditions; Door to Gallery—Door Shows True Relations, [colored pencil/trace], 10/20/1928;
  • Plan of Music Room Ceiling Showing Structural Beam Sizes, [ink/paper], 2/9/1928;
  • Cross Section Looking East, [ink/paper], 11/29/1926 with revisions: 10/21/1927 “omit brackets on wood beams” and 10/21/1927 “wainscot to be red Verona marble;” shows antique Verona marble arches in place];
  • Longitudinal Section Looking South, [ink/paper], 11/29/1926 with revisions: 11/25/1927 “changed fireplace in Music Room,” 11/26/1927 “added bookcases in Music Room bay; shows first (Kane) mantle design with one stone coat-of-arms centered above and labeled: “applied orna. design later”];
  • North Elevation, [ink/paper], 11/29/1926 with revisions [shows roundels, three to each side of center door and labeled twice (in mirror-reverse): Pavanazza Marble, Sonora Marble, Escalette Marble];
  • West Elevation, [ink/paper], 11/29/1926 with revisions [shows Pavanazza marble roundels to either side of Palladian door];
  • Plan of Music Room Showing Finished Floor, [pencil/trace], 4/1/1927;
  • SK1 First Floor Plan Proposed Alterations, [pencil/trace], undated;
  • SK2 Second Floor Plan (New) Proposed Alterations, [pencil/trace], undated [labeled in drawing: Space for Carrels; Space for Book Stacks 3087 Feet of Linear Shelving; Space for 24 Carrels];
  • SK3 Side Elevation Proposed Alterations, [pencil/trace], undated [shows square, four-paned windows in second-floor addition area];
  • SK4 Cross Section/End Elevation Proposed Alterations, [pencil/trace], undated

 

Living Room and East Bay Addition [Founders’ Room]

  • N.B. 301 Detail of Steps on North Bay; Plan; Elevation, [ink/canvas], 9/1/1927 (preliminary);
  • Detail of North Steps; Plan; Section on Center Line; Elevation Looking East, [pencil/trace], 10/7/1927;
  • L.B. 1 New Bay East Wall of Living Room; East Elevation; Interior Elevation of East Wall of Living Room; First Floor Plan; North Elevation, [pencil/trace], 9/2/1927 with revisions through 10/19/1927;
  • L.B. 2 Interior Finish of Living Room; East Elevation, West Elevation, North Elevation; South Elevation, [pencil/trace], 6/23/1927 [EE shows bay with bay opening flanked by matched column-pilaster pairs of unfluted Corinthian order and winged griffin frieze as Scheme #1 above; WE shows evenly spaced arrangement of door and two windows; NE shows pine mantle later moved to pine bedroom labeled: existing mantel];
  • Elevation of Opening Between Living Room & New Bay Scheme #1, [pencil/trace], undated [shows frieze with heraldic winged griffins and lighted incense burner, each group separated by scrolls; column and pilaster unfluted with Corinthian-order capitals];
  • Scheme #2 [same as above but column with Ionic-order capital and pilaster with Doric/Tuscan-order capital];
  • Scheme #3 [no ornament on frieze; capitals with winged griffin historiated composite Corinthian design];

 

Main House

  • Second Floor Plan, [ink/paper], 11/29/1926 with revisions [shows “new stairs” down through former Men’s Room #3];
  • Basement Floor Plan, [ink/paper], 11/29/1926 with revisions;
  • First Floor Plan, [ink/paper], 11/29/1926 with revisions;
  • East Elevation of West Wing, [pencil/trace], 11/10/1926;
  • Framing Plans Existing West Service Wing, [pencil/trace], 12/30/1926
  • South Elevation, [ink/paper], 11/29/1926 with revisions [shows present “mail room area”]

 

Swimming Pool Loggia

  • 306 Tile Floor—Loggia; Half Plan of Loggia, [pencil/trace], 3/9/1927;
  • Plan, [ink/paper], 10/21/1926 with revisions through 2/7/1927 [shows changing rooms];
  • North Elevation, [ink/paper], 10/21/1926;
  • East & West Elevations—Section, [ink/paper], 10/21/1926;
  • Proposed Addition to Residence, [bp], 7/30/1926;
  • Detail of New Bay East Wall of Living Room; Part Interior Elevation of Bay; East Elevation of Steps & Railing; Part East Elevation, [pencil/trace], 9/7/1927, 9/16/1927, 10/19/1927, 8/1/1928, 12/8/1928

 

Scope and Content

The Lawrence Grant White architectural plans and drawings comprise material and copies of this material for building, additions, and renovations to Dumbarton Oaks undertaken between 1923 and 1927.

 

Extent

66 drawings.

 

 

Collection Inventory and Description

Ca. 1923–1926 Site Plans for the Service Group Buildings Designed by McKim, Mead & White, New York, N.Y.

George A. Weschler, Consulting Engineer, Washington, D.C.

  • Stable & Garage Group at “The Oaks,” Preliminary Layout, [bp], no date;
  • Service Group at “The Oaks,” [bp], no date;
  • Service at “The Oaks,” [bp (2 copies, 1 w/ pencil annotations), no date;
  • Service Group at “The Oaks,” Preliminary Layout, [bp], 12/4/1923;
  • Service Group at “The Oaks,” General Layout Plan, [bp (4 copies, 3 w/ pencil)], revised 10/24/1924, (2nd, 3rd & 4th copy) 3/20/1925 and (4th copy) 1/11/1926;
  • Underground Service Connections, [bp], 8/1/1927;

 

 

Ca. 1925–1926 Plans and Elevations for Miscellaneous Buildings in the Service Group by McKim, Mead & White, New York, N.Y.

 

  • Shelter for Gasoline Pump, [bp], 8/5/1925;
  • Proposed Treatment of Entrance to Service Group, [bp w/ pencil], 2/23/1926;
  • Plan and Elevation Wood Shed, [bp], 7/16/1926, 9/23/1926 and 9/29/1926

 

Ca. 1924–1925 Plans and Elevations for Greenhouse in Service Group by McKim, Mead & White, New York, N.Y.

  • Greenhouse of Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Side Elevation, [bp], no date;
  • Greenhouse of Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Front Elevation, [bp w/ pencil], no date;
  • Greenhouse of Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Rear Elevation, [bp], no date;
  • Greenhouse of Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Rear Elevation, [bp], no date;
  • Greenhouse of Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Longitudinal Section, [bp w/ pencil], no date;
  • Greenhouse of Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Longitudinal Section, [bp w/ pencil], no date;
  • Greenhouse of Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Cross Section, [bp], no date;
  • Greenhouse of Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Plan, [bp w/ pencil], no date;
  • Greenhouse for Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Front Elevation, [2 copies bp, one w/ crayon], 11/23/1924, 3/7/1925, 4/1/1925, 4/2/1925 and 8/1/1925;
  • Greenhouse for Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Part Inside and Outside Elevations and Sections of Rear of Potting Room, [bp], 1/26/1925 and 5/28/1925;
  • Greenhouse for Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Pineapples Ends of Gr’hse, [bp], 8/4/1925;
  • Greenhouse for Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Balcony & Stair Details, [bp], 7/31/1925;
  • Greenhouse for Mrs. R.W. Bliss, Plan of Sink & Radiator Enclosure South End of Potting Room, [bp], 8/18/1925

 

Ca. 1924–1925 Plans for Gardener’s Cottage (Gray’s Cottage), 3201-3203 S Street, NW,  by McKim, Mead & White, New York, N.Y.

 

  • First Floor Plan, [bp], no date;
  • Second Floor Plan, [bp], 11/6/1924;
  • 1 Basement Plan, [bp], 12/7/1924, 3/5/1925, 3/8/1925 and 3/20/1925;
  • 3 Second Floor Plan, [bp], 12/20/1924;
  • 4 Roof Plan, [bp], 1/5/1925;
  • 5 Roof Framing, [bp], 1/13/1925;
  • 6 South Elevation, [bp], 1/20/1925 and 3/20/1925;
  • 9 East Elevation, [bp], 12/31/1924, 3/5/1925, 3/12/1925, 3/17/1925 and 3/20/1925;
  • Detail of South Elevation, [bp], 1/30/1925;
  • Basement Floor Plan, [bp with crayon], 3/12/1925 and 3/16/1925;
  • First Floor Plan, [bp with crayon], 3/12/1925 and 3/16/1925;
  • Second Floor Plan, [bp with crayon], 3/12/1923 [sic: 1925] and 3/16/1925

 

1926 Plan for Cool House (Orangery) by Tenney and Ohmes, McKim, Mead and White, New York, N.Y.

  • Orangery, Electrical Work, [bp], 6/17/1926 (2 copies)

 

Ca. 1926–1927 Plans by McKim, Mead and White, New York, N.Y.

  • Basement Floor Plan, [bl and mylar], 11/29/1926, 12/1/1926, 12/14/1926, 12/28/1926, 1/17/1927, 2/21/1927, 10/21/1927, 11/17/1927 (signed McKim, Mead and White);
  • First Floor Plan, [bl and mylar], 11/29/1926, 12/1/1926, 12/14/1926, 12/28/1926, 1/17/1927, 2/15/1927, 2/21/1927, 10/21/1927, 11/17/1927, 11/25/1927, 11/26/1927, 8/6/1928 (signed McKim, Mead and White);
  • Details Beam “A” Piers & Footings [for Music Room/servants’ areas], [bl], no date [ca. 1926–1927];
  • Section at “A”-“A” [for Music Room/servants’ areas], [bl], no date [ca. 1926–1927]

 

 

Ca. 1926–1927 Plans and Elevations for Alterations to Bath House and Loggia by McKim, Mead & White, New York, N.Y.

  • Plan, Elevation & Section, Loggia at Swimming Pool, [bp], 7/20/1926;
  • Plan, Elevation & Section, Loggia at Swimming Pool, [bp], 8/17/1926;
  • Loggia at Swimming Pool, [bp], dated on back in pencil: 10/1926;
  • Loggia, Section on Axis Looking East, [bp w/ pencil], 10/8/1926;
  • 1 Alterations & Additions to Loggia, Plan, [bp], 10/21/1926 and 11/3/1926;
  • 2 Alterations & Additions to Loggia, North Elevation, [bp], 10/21/1926;
  • 3 Alterations & Additions to Loggia, East & West Elevations–Section, [bp], 10/21/1926;
  • Loggia, [bp], 1/7/1927 and 2/21/1927

 

Ca. 1926–1927 Renovation of Living Room by McKim, Mead and White, New York, N.Y.

  • Details of Proposed Bay East of Living Room, [bp], no date [pencil inscription on back: Aug. 1926];
  • New Bay Off East Wall of Living Room, [bp], 11/8/1926, 2/3/1927, 2/10/1927;
  • Detail of New Bay East Wall of Living Room, Part Interior Elevation of Bay, East Elevation of Steps & Railing, Part East Elevation, [bp], 9/7/1927, 9/16/1927

 

 

1927 Plan for Design of Orangery Roof by McKim, Mead & White, New York, N.Y.

Beatrix Farrand, Landscape Architect, New York, N.Y.

William H. Lutton Company, Builders, Jersey City, N.J.

  • Orangery East Elevation, [bp], 12/5/1924;
  • Orangery South Elevation, [bp], 12/5/1924;
  • Orangery Detail of Casement Doors East Elevation, [bl], 8/14/1925;
  • Orangery Detail of Casement Doors North Elevation, [bl], 8/14/1925;
  • Orangery Detail of Casement Window [?] Elevation, [bl], 8/14/1925;
  • Orangery Detail of Casement Window West Elevation, [bl], 8/14/1925;
  • Pipe Chases in Orangery, [copy of bp], 7/19/1926;
  • Tile Floor Orangery, [bp], 3/29/1927;
  • Reconstruction of Orangery Roof, [bl & copy of bl], 2/15/1927, 2/23/1927;
  • Reconstruction Orangery Roof, [bl], 7/14/1927;
  • Reconstruction Orangery Roof, Full Size Detail at Ventilating Panel, [bl], 7/14/1927;
  • Reconstruction Grapery Roof, [bl], 7/14/1927;
  • Orangery Roof, [bl], 8/10/1927;
  • Orangery Roof—South & East Sides Chart to Show Bamboo Screening, [bl], 6/13/1931;
  • Lattice Panels for Orangery Roof, [bl], no date

 

 

1927 Alterations to Service Porch by McKim, Mead and White, New York, N.Y.

  • Details of Service Porch, [bp], 1/20/1927, 1/26/1927