Institutional Archives

The Dumbarton Oaks Archives consists primarily of architectural plans and drawings (ca. 1920 to the present), historical files (ca. 1920–ca. 1940), and administrative files (ca. 1940–present).

The Architectural Plans and Drawings Archive includes proposals and “as-built” designs and plans for renovations to the historic house, its orangery and other out-buildings, as well as designs and plans for new construction, especially service buildings and museum and library additions. Architects represented include Frederick H. Brooke (ca. 1921–23); Lawrence Grant White of McKim, Mead & White Architects (ca. 1923–29); Thomas T. Waterman (ca. 1938–46); Frederick R. King of Wyeth & King, Architects (ca. 1960–64); Philip Johnson (ca. 1959–63); Macomber & Peter Architects (1961); and Robert Venturi of Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates (ca. 2000–05).

The Historical Files Archive details the formation and early years of Dumbarton Oaks as a research center, and preserves correspondence and related documents from notable scholars, especially in the field of Byzantine Studies, including Otto Demus, Sirarpie Der Nersessian, Francis Dvornik, Henri Focillon, Albert M. Friend, André Grabar, Romilly Jenkins, Ernst Kitzinger, E.K. Rand, Marc Rosenberg, Alexander A. Vasiliev, and Kurt Weitzman.

The Institutional Archives are accessible by appointment only. Please contact James Carder, Archivist, at CarderJ@doaks.org or 202-339-6429.