Guide to the Stuart Duncan estate architectural records, 1911-1919


Redwood Library and Athenaeum
50 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Tel: (401) 847-0292
Fax: (401) 841-5680
email: redwood@redwoodlibrary.org

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title: Stuart Duncan estate architectural records
Date range: 1911-1919
Creator: Pope, John Russell, 1874-1937
Extent: 1.25 linear feet (half document case, 2 small rolls of architectural drawings, 1 large roll of architectural drawings)
Abstract: This collection consists of architectural drawings and other documents from John Russell Pope and the Olmsted Brothers for Stuart Duncan’s estate, Bonniecrest, in Newport, Rhode Island.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Redwood Library and Athenaeum
Collection number: RLC.Ms.008

Scope & content

This collection consists of architectural drawings and other documents from John Russell Pope and the Olmsted Brothers for Stuart Duncan’s estate, Bonniecrest, in Newport, Rhode Island. Architectural drawings from John Russell Pope served as the plans for certain rooms within the estate such as the breakfast room and the east porch. An undated specification by John Russell Pope of the finish of certain rooms for Stuart Duncan is also found in this collection. This document provides detailed specifics about the materials, dimensions, and expected workmanship by Pope for the vestibule, entrance and stair hall on three floors, living room, gallery, library, dining room, breakfast room, and the corridor under the main stairs for Bonniecrest.

Architectural drawings from the Olmsted Brothers include their plans for planting shrubbery, flowers, and other plants along the estate. A planting order list for the estate from the Olmsted Brothers is also found within in this collection. This list contains the type and quantity of plants to be acquired for the estate and later planted along its grounds. Also included is a topographical map of the Stuart Duncan estate by J. P. Cotton, a civil engineer in Newport, Rhode Island, used by the Olmsted Brothers in the planning.

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Topics Geographical Names Subject Topics Document Types

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in alphabetical order.

Historical note

The Stuart Duncan estate, named “Bonniecrest,” was built for Stuart Duncan (1872-1957), a Midwestern industrialist, on Harrison Avenue, overlooking Brenton Cove in Newport, Rhode Island. John Russell Pope, architect, began work on this mansion in 1912 and continued to work on it throughout the early 1920s. Pope worked with the Olmsted Brothers, the landscape architecture firm of step-brothers, John Charles Olmsted (1852-1920) and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. (1870-1957), to design the property’s landscape. Bonniecrest was subdivided into condominiums in the early 1980s.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: Access is open to members and researchers at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
Use of the materials: This collection is owned by the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Special Collections Librarian of the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
Preferred citation: Stuart Duncan estate architectural records, RLC.Ms.008, Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
Contact information: Redwood Library and Athenaeum
50 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Tel: (401) 847-0292
Fax: (401) 841-5680
email: redwood@redwoodlibrary.org

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Donated by John M. Peixinho, IV in fall 1999.
Processing information: This collection was first processed in 2000, most likely. Sometime afterward, the large architectural drawings from the Olmsted Brothers and the topographical map by J. P. Cotton were sent to NEDCC for conservation treatment. The drawings were returned fully treated at an unknown date. This collection was fully processed and its finding aid was completed in December 2013.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Delmage.
Encoding: Finding aid encoded by Elizabeth Delmage 2013 December 18
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Sponsor: Funding for processing and cataloging this collection was provided by the van Beuren Charitable Foundation.

Additional Information

Bibliography:
  • Croly, Herbert. “The Stuart Duncan Residence at Newport : John Russell Pope, Architect.” The Architectural Record 38 (Sep 1915): 288-309.
  • Garrison, James B. Mastering tradition : the residential architecture of John Russell Pope. New York: Acanthus Press, 2004.
  • Inventory


    Box 1, Folder 1 John Russell Pope architectural drawings
    1919
    Box 1, Folder 2 John Russell Pope’s specifications for the Stuart Duncan estate
    undated
    Box 1, Folder 3 Olmsted Brothers architectural drawings
    1914
    Small rolls Olmsted Brothers architectural drawings
    1913
    Large roll Olmsted Brothers architectural drawings
    1914
    Box 1, Folder 4 Olmsted Brothers planting order list
    undated
    Large roll Topographical map of Stuart Duncan estate
    1911