Guide to the Harry T. Thompson Collection

This finding aid describes the Harry T. Thompson Collection, part of the National Capital Regional Office Museum Collection. For access to the collection or for more information, contact the collection’s custodial officer.

One of the equestrian statues from The Arts of War and The Arts of Peace being uncrated. NPS photo by Abbie Rowe, NCRO 2

Harry T. Thompson, undated. NPS photo by Abbie Rowe, NCRO 6

Collection Overview

Collection Number: NCRO 2

Creator: Harry T. Thompson

Title: Harry T. Thompson Collection

Dates: 1918-1961, undated (bulk dates: 1950-1960)

Volume of Collection: 6 LF

Language of Materials: English

Digitized Copies: This collection has not been digitized

Conditions Governing Access: This collection is open for research use. Some material may be restricted for Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and at the curator’s discretion. See the copyright & restrictions information.

Provenance: In spring 2019, Thompson’s daughter, Jenifer Thompson Rideout and her husband, Charles “Skip” Rideout, donated much of his archival materials to the National Capital Regional Office.

Processing Note: This collection was processed and described by Katie Daughtry and Juli Folk in 2019.

Rights Statements for Archival Description: This is in the public domain.

Preferred Citation: Harry T. Thompson Collection, National Capital Regional Office (NCRO 2)

Location of Repository: National Capital Regional Office, 1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, D.C. 20242

Related Materials:

National Capital Region Public Affairs Collection, National Capital Regional Office (NCRO 6)

Record Group 79: Records of the National Park Service, National Archives and Records Administration

• Records of the National Capital Region
• White House Photographs, 1941–1970 (520052)
• "Time Book" for White House Photographs Taken by Abbie Rowe, 1952–1967 (520056)

Biographical Note

Harry T. Thompson was born on August 29, 1898, in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, to Lafayette and Elizabeth Stockdale Thompson. Before his employment with the National Park Service (NPS), he earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Waynesburg College in 1923 and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the Smokey Mountains during the Depression. He was also professionally associated with the Pittsburgh Provision and Packing Company (1923-1927), Fletcher Steel Professional Practice (1930-1932), and a private practice (1933-1934). He trained as a landscape architect and city planner at the Harvard School of Design, receiving a Masters of Liberal Arts (MLA) in 1930. He married Isabella Kinghorn Murray Thompson in 1926 and their daughter Jenifer was born in 1942.

Thompson began his career with the National Park Service (NPS) in 1934 as Assistant Landscape Architect with the Eastern Division Branch of Plans and Designs at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He advanced progressively to Associate Superintendent of National Capital Parks in 1952. In 1957, he received the Department of the Interior Distinguished Service Award, the Department’s highest honor, for having “worked tirelessly and displayed great diplomacy, skill, ability, and imagination.” Thompson became superintendent in 1958 upon Edward J. Kelly’s retirement and served as the Superintendent/Director of National Capital Parks until his death in 1961.

In the spring of 2019, Thompson’s only daughter, Jenifer Thompson Rideout, and her husband, Charles “Skip” Rideout, donated much of his archival materials to the National Capital Regional Office collection. The materials in the collection document his NPS career and his efforts as Associate Superintendent and Superintendent of National Capital Parks in Washington, DC, throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. During his tenure in the DC area, Thompson was instrumental in making the National Capital Region into what it is today. He was part of the team that surveyed and assessed the land that would become Cape Hatteras National Seashore and helped to lay out the grounds of Camp David, then known as Shangri-La. Thompson helped plan and acquire the bronze equestrian statues on the Arlington Memorial Bridge, working with sculptors James Earle Fraser (1876-1953) and Leo Friedlander (1888-1966), as well as with the foundries in Italy where the casting of the statues took place. He was also responsible for procuring the Netherlands Carillon near the Marine Corps Memorial and received a medal from the Queen of the Netherlands for his efforts. He was a tireless advocate for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, negotiated numerous land purchases for the George Washington Memorial Parkway, obtained funding and support for the Nature Center at Rock Creek Park, oversaw the construction and opening of the Carter Barron Amphitheatre in Rock Creek Park, supported the Faith of Fathers Program, and was instrumental in creating a public boating facility along the Potomac River in Georgetown, re-named the Thompson Boat Center in his honor. He also served on numerous committees for events in Washington including Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Inauguration, Cherry Blossom Festivals, the President’s Cup Regatta, the National Capital Planning Commission, the Fine Arts Commission, and the Pageant of Peace.

Scope and Content Note

Archival collection relating to Harry T. Thompson and his career with the National Park Service. The collection contains correspondence, personnel records, project files, reports, drawings, photographs, slides, a medal, bound volumes, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, travel itineraries, and programs and invitations to inaugurations, dedications, ceremonies, and other special events.

Of note are photographs taken by National Park Service photographer Abbie Rowe from 1956-1960 from around the National Capital Region, including visits from Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, Belgium’s King Baudouin, Irish President Sean T. O’Kelly, and Soviet statesman Nikita Khrushchev, as well as the opening of Old Stone House, the opening of Ford’s Theatre, the dedication of the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, Fourth of July fireworks, Cherry Blossom Festivals, the Horace Albright Dinner, the dedication of the Netherlands Carillon, the planning and creation of the equestrian statues for the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and Pageants of Peace and lighting the National Christmas tree with Mr. and Mrs. Eisenhower, in addition to other ceremonies, celebrations, dedications, and signings.

Arrangement

Organized into two series, with additional subseries.

Series 1: Records Relating to General Career

Subseries A: Personnel Files

Subseries B: Honors and Awards

Subseries C: Special Events

Subseries D: News Clippings

Subseries E: Photographic Materials

Subseries F: Personal Files and Correspondence

Series 2: Arlington Memorial Bridge Equestrian Statuary

Subseries A: Correspondence

Subseries B: Project Files

Subseries C: Photographic Materials

Subseries D: Dedication

Series 1: Records Relating to General Career, 1973-2000, undated

Extent of Series: 5 LF

Organized into six subseries: Subseries A: Personnel Files; Subseries B: Honors and Awards; Subseries C: Special Events; Subseries D: News Clippings; Subseries E: Photographic Materials; Subseries F: Personal Files and Correspondence

Series contains personnel records, invitations, programs, certificates, correspondence, newspaper clippings, slides, photographs, reports, and personal files from throughout Harry T. Thompson's career.

Series Name: Subseries 1.A: Personnel Files, 1988-2000, undated

Extent of Series: 0.2 LF

Arranged chronologically

Subseries contains correspondence, performance reports, official documents, certificates, and employee service records.

Container List:

BOX 01

Folder 1: Harry T. Thompson Personnel Files [1 of 3], 1918-1960

Folder 2: Harry T. Thompson Personnel Files [2 of 3], 1918-1960

Folder 3: Harry T. Thompson Personnel Files [3 of 3], 1918-1960

Folder 4: Membership Certificate to the Employees Alumni Association of the National Park Service, undated

Series Name: Subseries 1.B: Honors and Awards, 1953-1957

Extent of Series: 0.05 LF

Arranged chronologically

Subseries contains Thompson’s Inaugural Committee invitation (1953), medal, and program; Inaugural Committee correspondence (1957); and Department of the Interior Eighteenth Honors Awards Convocation Program (1957).

Container List:

BOX 01

Folder 5: Inaugural Committee Invitation, Medal, and Program, 1953

Folder 6: Inaugural Committee Thank You Correspondence, 1957

Folder 7: Department of the Interior Eighteenth Honors Awards Convocation Program, Apr. 23, 1957

Series Name: Subseries 1.C: Special Events, 1941-1960

Extent of Series: 0.2 LF

Arranged chronologically

Subseries contains official programs, invitations, and publications for the inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt (1941), the Faith of Our Fathers event (1950), and the presentation and dedication of the Netherlands Carillon (1952, 1954), the Dedication of the Rock Creek Park Nature Center (1960), and other important visitors and ceremonies. Also included are Abbie Rowe photographs of the Netherlands Carillon (1952, 1956, 1959-1960, undated) and a photograph of the medal awarded to Thompson by the Queen of the Netherlands.

Container List:

BOX 01

Folder 8: Official Program of the Ceremonies for the Third Inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jan. 20, 1941

Folder 9: Program of Exercises Attending the Unveiling of the Statue of Albert Gallatin, Oct. 15, 1947

Folder 10: Faith of Our Fathers Official Souvenir Program, 1950

Folder 11: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Netherlands Carillon, 1952, 1956, 1959-1960, undated

Folder 12: Invitation from the Secretary of the Interior to the Presentation of the Carillon, Apr. 4, 1952

Folder 13: Program of Exercises Attending the Presentation of a Carillon by Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, Apr. 4, 1952

Folder 14: Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association Program and Publications, 1954

Folder 15: Invitation from Netherlands Ambassador for Presentation of Decorations, Dec. 14, 1954

Folder 16: Participation Certificate for the Centennial Anniversary of the Birth of Theodore Roosevelt, 1958

Folder 17: Program for the Dedication of the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, Jun. 4, 1960

Folder 18: Invitation to Honor Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko of Japan, Sep. 27, 1960

Folder 19: Photograph of Medal Awarded to Thompson by the Queen of the Netherlands and Statute Book for the Order of Orange-Nassau, undated

Series Name: Subseries 1.D: News Clippings, 1947-1961

Extent of Series: 0.95 LF

News clippings are maintained in their original order as organized by Thompson’s office: “miscellaneous” clippings are arranged chronologically; clippings that pertain to specific projects are first organized alphabetically by topic and then arranged chronologically.

Subseries contains news clippings related to events and parks throughout the National Capital Region, curated by Thompson throughout his career. Specific topics include Cherry Blossom Festivals (1959-1961); D.C. Stadium (1958-1961); Farragut Square Parking (1958-1961); Glover-Archbold Park (1959); Pageants of Peace (1958-1960); Rock Creek Roads and Bridges (1958-1959); Theodore Roosevelt Memorial (1960); and the Water Sports Center (1959-1960). Preservation photocopies were created in 2019 to replace each original news clipping.

Container List:

BOX 01

Folder 20: [Newspaper Clippings], 1947-1960

Folder 21: Clippings - Miscellaneous, 1958

BOX 02

Folder 1: Clippings - Miscellaneous, Jan. - Jul. 1959

Folder 2: Clippings - Miscellaneous, Sep. - Dec. 1959

Folder 3: Clippings - Miscellaneous, 1960

Folder 4: Clippings - Miscellaneous, 1961

Folder 5: Clippings - Projects, '59, '60, '61 - Cherry Blossom Festivals, 1959-1961

Folder 6: Clippings - Projects, '59, '60, '61 - D.C. Stadium, 1958-1959

Folder 7: Clippings - Projects, '59, '60, '61 - Farragut Square Parking, 1958-1961

Folder 8: Clippings - Projects, '59, '60, '61 - Glover-Archbold Park, 1959

Folder 9: Clippings - Projects, '59, '60, '61 - Pageants of Peace, 1958-1960

Folder 10: Clippings - Projects, '59, '60, '61 - Rock Creek Roads and Bridges, 1958-1959

Folder 11: Clippings - Projects, '59, '60, '61 - Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, 1960

Folder 12: Clippings - Projects, '59, '60, '61 - Water Sports Center, 1959-1960

Folder 13: Obituary for Harry Thompson, Washington Star, Feb. 25, 1961

BOX 09

Folder 1: The Sunday Star, "The New Washington" [Sections W1-W38], Sep. 17, 1961

Series Name: Subseries 1.E: Photographic Materials, 1945-1960

Extent of Series: 1.1 LF

Arranged chronologically

Subseries contains both photographs and slides. Of note are photographs taken by National Park Service photographer Abbie Rowe from 1956-1960 from around the National Capital Region, including visits from Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, Belgium’s King Baudouin, Irish President Sean T. O’Kelly, and Soviet statesman Nikita Khrushchev, as well as the opening of Old Stone House, the opening of Ford’s Theater, the dedication of the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, Fourth of July fireworks, Cherry Blossom Festivals, the Horace Albright Dinner, and Pageants of Peace and lighting the National Christmas tree with Mr. and Mrs. Eisenhower, in addition to other ceremonies, celebrations, dedications, and signings. There are some photographs by other photographers, taken of similar events in the National Capital Region.

Container List:

BOX 02

Folder 14: Slides - [Unidentified Location], 1952

Folder 15: Slides - "C & O Canal", 1955

Folder 16: Slides - [Unidentified Location], 1955

Folder 17: Slides - "Arl - Ocean - Alps", undated

BOX 03

Folder 1: [Unknown Photographer] - C & O Canal Ferry Boat, Jun. 8, 1945

Folder 2: Abbie Rowe Photographs - National Park Service Firing Range, Aug. 6, 1949

Folder 3: Abbie Rowe Photographs - King Faisal of Saudi Arabia on Visit to D.C. Monuments, Jul.16, 1952

Folder 4: Laura Fraser Christmas Greeting [Photograph, Original Signature], 1956

Folder 5: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Harry T. Thompson, 1957, undated

Folder 6: Abbie Rowe Photographs - The Thompsons Attending Theodore Roosevelt Committee Benefit, circa Dec. 1957

Folder 7: Photographs - [Other Photographers], 1958, 1959, undated

Folder 8: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Rock Creek Park Press Club Outing, Jun. 15, 1958

Folder 9: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Naming of Alexander Hamilton Place, Jun. 20, 1958

Folder 10: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Dedication of Custis-Lee Museum, Jun. 30, 1958

Folder 11: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Opening Ceremonies for Rock Creek Park Day (October 5), Sep. 11, 1958

Folder 12: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Rock Creek Park Park Service Picnic, Sep. 19, 1958

Folder 13: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Columbus Statue Ceremony, Sep. 26, 1958

Folder 14: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Pistol Range Pistol Match, Sep. 28, 1958

Folder 15: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Our Lady of Lourdes, Oct. 5, 1958

Folder 16: Abbie Rowe Photographs - C & O Canal Bicycle Trip, Nov. 22, 1958

Folder 17: Abbie Rowe Photographs - NCP Office Mr. Thompson and Staff, Nov. 24, 1958

Folder 18: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Rock Creek Park Stable Party, Nov. 29, 1958

Folder 19: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Stadium Contract Signing, Dec. 12, 1958

Folder 20: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Pageant of Peace, Dec. 23, 1958

Folder 21: Abbie Rowe Photographs - EPP Shops Retirement B. Curran, Jan. 14, 1959

Folder 22: Abbie Rowe Photographs - ICE Club Retirement of B. Curran and B. Blair, Jan. 16, 1959

Folder 23: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Richard Brown Reciting Gettysburg Address at Lincoln Memorial, Feb. 12, 1959

Folder 24: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Washington Monument Ribbon Cutting, Feb. 23, 1959

Folder 25: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Dedication of Monument to Simon Bolivar, Feb. 27, 1959

Folder 26: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Lee Mansion St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Mar. 15, 1959

Folder 27: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Arrival of Irish President Sean T. O'Kelly, Mar. 17, 1959

Folder 28: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Mr. Wirth's Dinner, Mar. 17, 1959

Folder 29: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Retirement of J.P. Stewart, Chief of Park Service Police, Mar. 18, 1959

Folder 30: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Cherry Blossom Festival, Apr. 4, 1959

Folder 31: Abbie Rowe Photographs - "Bowling on the Green" on the National Mall with Members of the British Embassy, Apr. 19, 1959

Folder 32: Abbie Rowe Photographs - 33,000,000th Visitor to Washington Monument, Apr. 24, 1959

Folder 33: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Office of Mr. Thompson Signing Taft Stable Contract, Apr. 24, 1959

Folder 34: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Visit of King Baudouin of Belgium, May 12, 1959

Folder 35: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Congressman Kirwan, May 15, 1959

Folder 36: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Signing of Proclamation for Rock Creek Park Day, Jun. 24, 1959

Folder 37: Abbie Rowe Photographs - National Park Service meeting with Connie Wirth, Mr. Montgomery, Jun. 26, 1959

Folder 38: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Mr. T. Sutton Jett Receiving Award from Bill Lawrence, Jul. 1, 1959

Folder 39: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Petersen House/Ford's Theatre Opening, Jul. 3, 1959

Folder 40: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Fourth of July Fireworks on the National Mall, Jul. 4, 1959

Folder 41: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Harry T. Thompson Talk at Sylvan Theater, Jul. 17, 1959

BOX 04

Folder 1: Abbie Rowe Photographs - National Capital Planning Commission, Aug. 14, 1959

Folder 2: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Nikita Khrushchev at Lincoln Memorial, Sep. 16, 1959

Folder 3: Abbie Rowe Photographs - DC Recreation Board Tour of GWMP, Oct. 30, 1959

Folder 4: Abbie Rowe Photographs - President Eisenhower Cutting Ribbon on GWMP, Nov. 3, 1959

Folder 5: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Dave Walsh Retirement Party at ICE Club, Nov. 10, 1959

Folder 6: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Pageant of Peace and Delivery of National Christmas Tree, Dec. 1959

Folder 7: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Horace Albright Dinner, Dec. 4, 1959

Folder 8: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Harry Thompson Presenting Award to George Harding, Dec. 15, 1959

Folder 9: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Old Stone House Opening, Jan. 23, 1960

Folder 10: Abbie Rowe Photographs - 34,000,000th Visitor to Washington Monument, Feb. 12, 1960

Folder 11: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Cherry Blossom Festival, Apr. 1960

Folder 12: Del Ankers Photographs - National Cherry Blossom Festival Lantern Lighting with Ambassador Koichiro Asakai and His Daughter Akiko Asakai, Apr. 1960

Folder 13: [Other Photographers] - Cherry Blossom Festival, Apr. 1960

Folder 14: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Planting a Cherry Tree at the Richard Nixon's, Apr. 2, 1960

Folder 15: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Dedication of "Plaza of the Americas" (Pan-Am Tree Planting), Apr. 21, 1960

Folder 16: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Folk Festival, Jun. 4, 1960

Folder 17: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Dedication of Rock Creek Park Nature Center, Jun. 4, 1960

Folder 18: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, Motorcade, Jun. 28, 1960

Folder 19: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Pageant of Peace and Delivery of National Christmas Tree, Dec. 1960

Folder 20: [Unknown Photographer] - NPS Director Arthur Demaray, General Ulysses Grant III, State Dept Ambassador Dean Acheson, undated

BOX 010

Folder 4: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Harry T. Thompson, undated

Series Name: Subseries 1.F: Personal Files and Correspondence, 1934-1961

Extent of Series: 2.5 LF

Arranged chronologically

Subseries contains a large amount of personal correspondence with friends and colleagues that were maintained by Thompson throughout his career from 1934 to 1961, as well as correspondence, reports, notes, and news clippings regarding sculptor Laura Fraser and her American History Panels with miniature cardboard facsimiles (1958-1959). Also included are draft and final copies of volumes originally bound in leather, entitled The Highland Lakes of Texas (1936), which have been unbound, with oversized maps separated, for proper storage and preservation. The Highland Lakes of Texas reports were authored by Newton B. Drury (1889-1978), a notable conservationist who was appointed as fourth director of the National Park Service in 1940, after declining the appointment in 1933. The subseries also contains a report on the White House, titled A Preliminary Handbook of Historical Information Concerning the White House and its Furnishings, compiled with data from 1925 to 1946 and with photographs taken by Abbie Rowe.

Container List:

BOX 05

Folder 1: Harry T. Thompson Personal Files [1 of 3], Jul. 1934 - Dec. 1951

Folder 2: Harry T. Thompson Personal Files [2 of 3], Jul. - Dec. 1951

Folder 3: Harry T. Thompson Personal Files [3 of 3], Jul. 1934 - Dec. 1951

Folder 4: Harry T. Thompson Personal Files [1 of 3], Jan. 1952 - Dec. 1958

Folder 5: Harry T. Thompson Personal Files [2 of 3], Jan. 1952 - Dec. 1958

Folder 6: Harry T. Thompson Personal Files [3 of 3], Jan. 1952 - Dec. 1958

Folder 7: Harry T. Thompson Personal Files [1 of 3], Jan. 1959 - Feb. 1961

BOX 06

Folder 1: Harry T. Thompson Personal Files [2 of 3], Jan. 1959 - Feb. 1961

Folder 2: Harry T. Thompson Personal Files [3 of 3], Jan. 1959 - Feb. 1961

Folder 3: American History Panels/Laura Fraser [1 of 3], 1958-1959

Folder 4: American History Panels/Laura Fraser [2 of 3], 1958-1959

Folder 5: American History Panels/Laura Fraser [3 of 3], 1958-1959

Folder 6: Correspondence - From NPS Employees to Thompson, Feb. 1961 and undated

Folder 7: Harry T. Thompson Funeral Services - Cremation, Obituary, Death Certificate Receipts, Feb. 26, 1961

Folder 8: A Preliminary Handbook of Historical Information Concerning the White House and its Furnishings, undated

BOX 09

Folder 2: The Bridgeport Sunday Post, "Distinguished Sculptor, Medalist, a Woman Charged by Inner Creative Fire" [Sections B3-B4], Mar. 2, 1958

BOX 10

Folder 1: The Highland Lakes of Texas [Draft], 1936

Folder 2: Maps of Texas Showing Development for Recreational Study, Separated from the Highland Lakes of Texas [Draft], 1936

Folder 3: The Highland Lakes of Texas [Final], 1936

MAP CAB 1 DRAWER 4

Folder 1: Maps of the Highland Lakes Region with Development Plans, Separated from the Highland Lakes of Texas [Draft], 1936

Folder 2: Panoramic View of the Highland Lakes Region, Separated from the Highland Lakes of Texas [Final], 1936

Series Name: Series 2: Arlington Memorial Bridge Statuary, 1945-1958

Extent of Series: 1 LF

Arranged into four subseries: Subseries A. Correspondence; Subseries B. Project Files; Subseries C. Photographic Materials; Subseries D. Dedication.

Series contains correspondence, invitations, project files, reports, publications, news clippings, drawings, slides, and photographs regarding the commission, planning, creation, and dedication of the equestrian statuary on the Arlington Memorial Bridge, including correspondence with Italian officials and information about trips to Italy and visits to Italian foundries.

Series Name: Subseries 2.A: Correspondence, 1945-1958

Extent of Series: 0.3 LF

Arranged chronologically

Subseries contains letters, telegrams, picture postcards, and invitations, including some materials written in Italian. There is correspondence with sculptor James Earle Fraser (1945-1954), general correspondence related to the equestrian statues (1948-1951), invitations to an Italian art exhibit (1950) and to the Arlington Memorial Bridge Reception (1951), and a telephone list (1951-1952). There is information concerning visits to the American Cemetery at Suresnes and Protestant Cemetery in Rome (1952-1953) as well as a telegram to Thompson from Italian Minister Sertoli (1958).

Container List:

BOX 07

Folder 1: Correspondence - James Earle Fraser, 1945-1954

Folder 2: Correspondence Related to Equestrian Statues, Aug. 1948 - Oct. 1949

Folder 3: Correspondence Related to Equestrian Statues, Nov. 1949 - Mar. 1950

Folder 4: Correspondence Related to Equestrian Statues, Apr. - Dec. 1950

Folder 5: Invitation to Catholic Artist Exhibit in Italy [in Italian], Sep. 4, 1950

Folder 6: Correspondence Related to Equestrian Statues, Jan. - Apr. 1951

Folder 7: Correspondence Related to Equestrian Statues, May - Jun. 1951

Folder 8: Correspondence Related to Equestrian Statues, Jul. - Nov. 1951

Folder 9: Invitations to Arlington Memorial Bridge Reception, Sep. 25-26, 1951

Folder 10: Telephone List and Correspondence, Oct. 15, 1951 - Jun. 25, 1952

Folder 11: Correspondence - American Cemetery at Suresnes and Protestant Cemetery in Rome, 1952-1953

Folder 12: Telegram to Thompson from Italian Minister Sertoli, Dec. 23, 1958

Folder 13: [Picture Postcard from Illegible Roman Official], undated

Series Name: Subseries 2.B: Project Files, 1948-1951

Extent of Series: 0.5 LF

Arranged Chronologically

Subseries contains reports, schedules, press releases, publications, drawings, sketches, travel authorizations, appropriations/estimates, photographs, and slides and samples from the bronze statues and memorials. There are planning documents for a visit to Italy (November 9-25, 1949), the presentation of a gold medal for sculpture to James Earle Fraser by Paul Manship (May 25, 1951) and a 1951 Italian publication entitled “Nel Mondo Del Lavoro Rassegna Mensile Di Informazioni Sindacali”.

Container List:

BOX 07

Folder 14: Report on Examination of Bronze Statues and Memorial [with slides/samples], Mar. 10, 1948

Folder 15: Schedule for Thompson, Fraser, Friedlander's Visit to Italy, Nov. 9-25, 1949

BOX 08

Folder 1: Arlington Memorial Bridge [Project Binder 1 of 5] - Press Release, Aug. 26, 1949

Folder 2: Arlington Memorial Bridge [Project Binder 2 of 5] - Appropriations/Estimates, 1941-1951

Folder 3: Arlington Memorial Bridge [Project Binder 3 of 5] - Record of Italian Trips, 1949-1950

Folder 4: Arlington Memorial Bridge [Project Binder 4 of 5] - Travel Authorizations, 1949-1950

Folder 5: Arlington Memorial Bridge [Project Binder 5 of 5] - Foundries, 1948, undated

Folder 6: [Newspaper Clipping] Memorial Bridge Statuary Dedication Set for Cherry Fete, Oct. 6, 1950

Folder 7: Presentation of the Gold Medal for Sculpture to James Earle Fraser by Paul Manship, May 25, 1951

Folder 8: "Nel Mondo Del Lavoro Rassegna Mensile Di Informazioni Sindacali" [Italian Publication], Nov. 1951

Folder 9: Drawings and Photographs of Equestrian Statues [1 of 2], undated

Folder 10: Drawings and Photographs of Equestrian Statues [2 of 2], undated

MAP CAB 1 DRAWER 4

Folder 3: Plans of Arlington Memorial Bridge Pedestals, Separated from Drawings and Photographs of Equestrian Statues [1 of 2], 1944, 1950

Series Name: Subseries 2.C: Photographic Materials, 1951

Extent of Series: 0.1 LF

Arranged Chronologically

Subseries contains photographs by Abbie Rowe, sketches by James Earle Fraser, and slides from trips to Italy, from the arrival of the statues by barge, and from other unidentified events/locales.

Container List:

BOX 08

Folder 11: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Arrival of Statues for Arlington Memorial Bridge from Italy, Jun. 7, 1951

Folder 12: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Equestrian Statues, Jul. 12, 1951

Folder 13: Slides - "Statues Arrive - Barge", 1951

Folder 14: Slides - "Italy", undated

Folder 15: Equestrian Statue Sketches - James Earle Fraser, undated

Series Name: Subseries 2.D: Dedication, 1951

Extent of Series: 0.1 LF

Arranged Chronologically:

Subseries contains speeches, programs, reports, tickets, photographs, and publications regarding the dedication of the Arlington Memorial Bridge Statuary in 1951. Also included are reports from Italian artisans’ visits to the United States and a publication entitled, “The Casting of Four Equestrian Groups for Arlington Bridge in Washington” (1951).

Container List:

BOX 08

Folder 16: Dedication - Photographs and Speeches, 1951

Folder 17: Abbie Rowe Photographs - Unveiling of Statues at Arlington Memorial Bridge, Sep. 26, 1951

Folder 18: Dedication Ceremonies Arlington Memorial Bridge Statuary [Ticket], 1951

Folder 19: Program of Ceremonies Dedicating the Equestrian Statues, 1951

Folder 20: Report of Visit of Italian Artisans to United States, 1951

Folder 21: "The Casting of Four Equestrian Groups for Arlington Bridge in Washington, DC", 1951

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