To Be Preserved For all TiMe
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33. drury to Gist Blair, december 4, 1940, Bh-lh File 1. Marvel, 109–110. Mackintosh incorrectly gives the date of Gist Blair’s death as december 10, 1940, perhaps the actual date of the historic marker’s dedication. referring to the ending of the marking program at america’s entry into World War ii, and the confidentiality of designated sites up to that time, he states, “Blair house would remain the only recipient of a ‘national historical marker’ outside Park service custody. But its plaque was prototypical of those that would proliferate across the nation beginning 20 years later, when the service finally undertook to inform the american people of all their greatest historic places.” (24–26.) 34. jacquelyn M Beauregard to Miss r. constance calenberg, office of the chief of protocol, department of state (april 15, 1963), Bh-lh File 2. This memorandum summarizes title research done on the acquisition of Blair house and lee house by the federal government. it chronologically details the acquisitions process—dates, acts, etc.—in a fairly complete time line. it also includes four basic “steps in acquiring land by the Federal Government” and a second summary of the acquisitions process with costs (3–4). 35. “last Will and Testament of Gist Blair,” March 9, 1934, 5–6, Family history File, legal Papers & related documents—Blair Family, office of the curator, Blair house. 36. Percy Blair to Frederic a. delano, esq., national resources Planning Board, state department Building, Washington, d.c., october 20, 1941; Percy Blair to Mrs. Warren robbins, sulgrave club, Washington, d.c., november 25, 1941; sumner Welles (drafted by howland shaw) to Percy Blair, june 30, 1941, Bh-lh File 1. on Gist’s guests at Bh dinners, see Marvel, 113. 37. Percy Blair to G. howland shaw, january 3, 1942; j. P. story jr. story and company, real estate, Washington, d.c., to dr. Montgomery Blair, May 18, 1942; Marian T. christie for Mr. shaw to Mr. harrison [state department], april 17, 1942—all in Bh-lh File 1. on anderson house and the navy department, see Massachusetts Avenue Architecture: Volume I, Northwest Washington, District of Columbia (Washington, d.c.: The commission of Fine arts, 1973), 160. 38. G. howland shaw to Percy Blair, May 29, 1942, Bh-lh File 1.
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