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Robert and his wife Woods Bliss: How they transformed their private home into a place of scholarship.
Dumbarton Oaks (officially known as the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection) in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., is a place steeped in history. It was once the home of American diplomat Robert Woods Bliss and his wife, Mildred Barnes Bliss, and their elaborate gardens. The couple gifted the home and gardens to Harvard University in 1940, and their generosity transformed this private treasure into an academic sanctuary.
In 1944, Dumbarton Oaks became the venue for an important international conference that laid the foundation for the establishment of the United Nations after World War II.
Historically, the land at Dumbarton Oaks originated from a lease issued by Queen Anne in 1702, and was originally claimed by Nicholas Beale. Several residences were built on the land starting in 1801, and eventually in 1920, Robert and Mildred Bliss purchased the property, naming it Dumbarton Oaks in 1933.
The Blisses, who were passionate about gardening and architecture, commissioned architect Frederick H. Brooke to undertake an extensive renovation, combining Italianate architecture with Colonial Revival style. Not only did they create a garden of about 54 acres, they also invited the famous garden designer Beatrix Farrard to design a series of terrace gardens.
Mildred Bliss's vision for Dumbarton Oaks emphasized the value of humanism, seeing it as not just a gathering place for books and art, but a home for the human spirit.
After re-occurring in 1933, the Bliss established a research facility and significantly increased their collection of art and reference books, laying the foundation for a subsequent research library and collection. In 1940, the couple donated Dumbarton Oaks to Harvard University, a move that marked their profound impact on academia.
Important events of the Bliss era
In 1937, Mildred Bliss commissioned musician Igor Stravinsky to compose a concerto to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary. The work premiered at the Dumbarton Oaks Music Room in 1938 under the title "Dumbarton Oaks 8-v-1938" and is now known as the "Dumbarton Oaks Concerto".
In addition, Dumbarton Oaks was the venue for the 1944 Dumbarton Oaks Conference, which brought together representatives from China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States to develop an organizational structure for maintaining international peace and security, ultimately leading to the creation of the United Nations of establishment.
Mildred Bliss mentioned in her will that Dumbarton Oaks should become a humanist home rather than a mere collection of artifacts.
After the Blisses' deaths, Dumbarton Oaks continued to move forward with their vision, and with the advancement of academic programs, it became an academic center for medieval Byzantine studies, pre-Columbian cultural studies, and garden design and landscape architecture. The “Academic Holy Land” in the name is by no means groundless.
Research and Collection
The mission of Dumbarton Oaks is to promote scholarship in three areas: Byzantine Studies, Pre-Columbian Studies, and Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. The research library here has more than 200,000 materials covering relevant books and journals, supporting international scholars.
Among them, the collection of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art displays the essence of diverse cultures from ancient times to the present. In addition to artworks, it also houses rare books from Mildred's Horticultural Library. Recently, Dumbarton Oaks’ newly built library and garden-themed facilities have added new vitality to this academic sanctuary.
The Bliss vision continues here, making Dumbarton Oaks a platform for continued academic exchange.
Not only that, Dumbarton Oaks regularly holds public lectures, seminars, concerts and other activities, and opens its gardens and museum collections to the public, allowing more people to experience the cultural atmosphere here.
Dumbarton Oaks, a private residence built for wealth, has now been transformed into a research paradise for scholars around the world. It shows the profound heritage of the humanistic spirit and is worthy of reflection by each of us: What role does cultural heritage play in today's society? roles and responsibilities?
