Richard Henry Dana papers
1997-16-0
Scope and Contents
The Richard Henry Dana papers relate primarily to the renovation that Dana designed and supervised in 1925 and 1926 of Ludlow Bull's house at 114 North Street, Litchfield, Conn. The papers also include materials regarding design work for Bull's New York City apartment. The collection includes correspondence, drawings, specifications, orders, wallpaper samples, photographs, and other documents. The correspondence primarily consists of Dana's carbon copies to Bull and vendors regarding design philosophy and choices, selection of finishes and fixtures, and progress of the work. There are several wallpaper swatches for various rooms. Bills itemize the costs for the renovation, which amounted to just over $39,000 in 1926 (over $480,000 in 2010 accounting for inflation). The collection also includes documentation related to some work done by Dana to Bull's New York City apartment in 1930. The collection appears to document most every aspect of the renovation of the Goodwin-Riley house. The Colonial Revival rennovation was so complete that virtually nothing of the original styling and orientation of the original structure remains. Built in 1830 by Leonard Goodwin, the house was sold to George W. Riley in 1836. It then passed to his son, Samuel Chester Riley, whose guardian sold it to F.D. McNeil in 1870. Alice T. Bulkley purchased it from the McNeil estate in 1907. Upon her death, it was conveyed to Alice Colvocoresses in 1923, who sold it to Ludlow Bull in 1925. The Bulls would later purchase 50 North Street, built in 1793 for Julius Deming, from the estate of his aunts. Also known as the Deming house, the Deming/Perkins house, and The Lindens, the house was extensively remodeled several times throughout its history.
Dates
- created: 1925-1931
- Other: Date acquired: 02/07/1998
Creator
- Dana, Richard Henry, 1879-1933 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet
1 half-Hollinger box other_unmapped
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
The Ryans were later owners of the Goodwin-Riley house and had been given the rennovation plans by a previous owner.
Source of Acquisition
Mr. and Mrs. Seward Ryan
Method of Acquisition
Gift
Existence and Location of Originals
multi-part note content
Other Descriptive Information
This collection was processed with support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Subject
- Dana, Richard Henry, 1879-1933 (Person)
- Title
- Richard Henry Dana papers
- Author
- Leith Johnson
- Date
- 09/01/2012
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Litchfield Historical Society Repository
7 South Street
P.O. Box 385
Litchfield CT 06759
860-567-4501
860-567-3565 (Fax)
archivist@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org