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Goelet family papers (SP 02)

McKillop Library

McKillop Library
100 Ochre Point Avenue
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI 02840
Tel: 401-341-2276
Fax: 401-341-2951
email: archives@salve.edu

Inventory

Ochre Court, Newport, RI, 1892-1897
0.417 Linear feet (11 folders)

The files in series 1 date from 1892 to 1897 and represent 0.417 linear feet. This series documents the later stages of construction, landscaping and furnishing of the mansion. There is very little information about the planning and design process or the primary construction of the building.

The folders titled "Expenses related to construction..." contain many receipts and correspondence from Richard Morris Hunt, who seemed to be working as the project manager, overseeing even the last stages of decoration and exterior work. Receipts from his firm cease shortly after his death in July 1895. The "landscape expenses" files document work that was done on the grounds after the Olmsteds' work was completed. Some of these details were overseen by James H. and Ernest Bowditch. Many Newport companies from the turn of the century are represented in this series, and many local individuals are named.

Digital reproductions of the materials in this series are available at http://digitalcommons.salve.edu/ochre-court.
Ochre Court, commissioned by Ogden Goelet as his family's summer residence in Newport, was the first of four Newport mansions designed by Richard Morris Hunt. As the country's foremost architect in the late 19th century, Hunt drew inspiration for the 50-room limestone palace from late Gothic French architecture. Inside the house, Hunt utilized design elements from French renaissance chateaux and churches to create a three-story Great Hall, from which radiate impressive ground floor reception rooms such as a dining room, ballroom, and library. Private upstairs family rooms were richly designed with imported antique fireplaces and lavish wall coverings. Hunt emphasized the Goelets' social position and their patronage of learning and the arts with exuberant decoration in classical ceiling paintings, royal heraldic devices, carved emblems and statues, and a rich collection of antique stained glass. Many of the furnishings were obtained through high-end dealers such as L. Alavoine, Jules Allard Fils, and L. Marcotte. Hunt brought in other experienced New York companies such as James Sinclair & Co. to erect the stonework and Ellin, Kitson & Co. to carve the Caen limestone interiors and gilded woodwork. Ochre Court was one of the first fully electrified residences in Newport, using its own generator. Construction of the house officially spanned the years 1888 to 1891, but it appears that many smaller tasks of decorating the interior and completing the gardens continued well into the mid 1890s.

The estate grounds, designed by Olmsted Brothers, had formal perennial gardens and walkways shaded by several mature specimen trees.

It was Robert's gift of Ochre Court to the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1947 that established Salve Regina College.

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Ochre Court: Expenses related to construction, maintenance, services, etc.
1893
Box 1, Folder 2 Ochre Court: Expenses related to construction, maintenance, services, etc.
1894
Box 1, Folder 3 Ochre Court: Expenses related to construction, maintenance, services, etc.
1895-1896
Box 1, Folder 4 Ochre Court: Expenses related to construction, maintenance, services, etc.
1897
Box 1, Folder 5 Electrification of Ochre Court
1892-1897
Box 1, Folder 6 Expenses and supplies related to Ochre Court or from Newport companies
1893-1897
Box 1, Folder 7 Ochre Court: Utility bills
1893-1897
Box 1, Folder 8 Ochre Court: Landscape and garden expenses
1894
Box 1, Folder 9 Ochre Court: Landscape and garden expenses
1895
Box 1, Folder 10 Ochre Court: Landscape and garden expenses
1896
Box 1, Folder 11 Ochre Court: Landscape and garden expenses
1897

New York City real estate, 1893-1899
0.25 Linear feet (19 folders)

The files in series 2 date from 1893 to 1899 and represent 0.25 linear feet. This series documents expenses related to real estate in New York City owned by the Goelets. Most properties are listed by address. The files include some bills to Ogden that were paid posthumously by business managers and some invoices from Department of Water Supply, Consolidated Gas Co., and the city of New York. While it shows a representative picture of their real estate investments, this series does not describe the family's entire holdings.

Digital reproductions of the materials in this series are available at http://digitalcommons.salve.edu/goelet-new-york.

Container Description Date
Box 2, Folder 1 Ogden Goelet: Expenses related to New York City real estate
1893-1898
Box 2, Folder 2 Ogden Goelet: Expenses related to New York City residence at 608 Fifth Avenue
1896-1897
Box 2, Folder 3 Ogden Goelet: Taxes and utility bills for New York City real estate
1896-1897
Box 2, Folder 4 Ogden Goelet: List of checks to be signed
1893 Feb-Mar
Box 2, Folder 5 Ogden Goelet: Miscellaneous documents related to New York residence or Ochre Court
undated
Box 2, Folder 6 Estate of Robert Goelet: Expenses related to New York City real estate
1897-1898
Box 2, Folder 7 Robert Goelet: Expenses related to New York City real estate
1897-1898
Box 2, Folder 8 Robert Goelet: Utility bills for New York City real estate
1898
Box 2, Folder 9 Robert Goelet and Ogden Goelet: Expenses related to New York City real estate owned jointly
1897
Box 2, Folder 10 Robert Goelet and Ogden Goelet: Expenses related to New York City real estate owned jointly
1898
Box 2, Folder 11 Robert Goelet and Ogden Goelet: Expenses related to Knickerbocker Hotel owned jointly
1897-1898
Box 2, Folder 12 Robert Goelet and Ogden Goelet: Expenses related to Grand Central Palace/Industrial Building owned jointly
1897-1898
Box 2, Folder 13 Robert Goelet and Ogden Goelet: Taxes and utility bills for New York City real estate owned jointly
1897-1898
Box 2, Folder 14 Statement of expenses paid by William Berrian on behalf of Robert Goelet and Ogden Goelet
1897-1898
Box 2, Folder 15 Statements of expenses paid by T. Firth, Jr. on behalf of the Estate of Robert Goelet
1897-1898
Box 2, Folder 16 Goelet Estate: Utility bills for New York City real estate
1898
Box 2, Folder 17 Utility bills for New York City real estate owned by unidentified Goelet family members
1896-1898
Box 2, Folder 18 Taxes and utility bills sent to Goelet family business associates
1897-1899
Box 2, Folder 19 Real estate expense statements
1898-1899

Interior furnishings and objects, 1882-1897
0.25 Linear feet (7 folders)

The files in series 3, Interior furnishings and objects, date from 1882 to 1897 and represent 0.25 linear feet. This series documents some of the purchases made by the Goelets when furnishing and decorating their homes in Newport and New York City. In some cases, it can be difficult to determine whether furnishings were intended for Ochre Court or for the New York residence. Some clues can be gleaned from dates and the addresses where the bills were sent. Papers from Allard Fils, Ch. Rafard, and other European sources are written in French

Digital reproductions of the materials in this series are available at http://digitalcommons.salve.edu/goelet-interior.

Container Description Date
Box 2, Folder 20 Purchases from L. Alavoine Co.
1895-1897
Box 2, Folder 21 Purchases from Jules Allard Fils
1883-1891
Box 2, Folder 22 Purchases from Allard & Sons
1894
Box 2, Folder 23 Purchases from L. Marcotte & Co.
1882-1897
Box 3, Folder 1 Purchases from Ch. Rafard and George Donaldson
1891-1893
Box 3, Folder 2 Purchases from other European sources
1883-1893
Box 3, Folder 3 Purchases from other American sources
1882-1893

Personal expenses, 1881-1949
0.292 Linear feet (12 folders)

The files in series 4, Personal expenses, date from 1881 to 1949 and represent 0.292 linear feet. This series documents individual purchases of personal items. Personal expenses are defined to include any non-furnishing and non-real estate expenses, such as clothing, books, wine, household and yacht supplies, fishing supplies, etc. The folder with Ogden’s shipping receipts provides some understanding of the transport of furnishings from Europe to his homes in New York City and Newport.

Digital reproductions of the materials in this series are available at http://digitalcommons.salve.edu/goelet-personal-expenses.

Container Description Date
Box 3, Folder 4 Ogden Goelet Personal expenses, New York City
1881, 1893-1897
Box 3, Folder 5 Ogden Goelet: Membership dues and donations, New York City
1894-1897
Box 3, Folder 6 Ogden Goelet: Membership dues, Newport
1897
Box 3, Folder 7 Ogden Goelet: Personal expenses from European sources
1886-1895
Box 3, Folder 8 Ogden Goelet: Shipping receipts and correspondence related to shipments
1892-1897
Box 3, Folder 9 Ogden Goelet: Currency exchanges
1893
Box 3, Folder 10 Mrs. Ogden Goelet [Mary R. Goelet]: Personal expenses from European sources
1890-1895
Box 3, Folder 11 Robert Goelet and Ogden Goelet: Joint personal expenses
1898
Box 3, Folder 12 Robert Goelet: Personal expenses from American sources
1897, 1938-1953
Box 3, Folder 13 Robert Goelet: Personal expenses from European sources
1892, 1928-1949
Box 3, Folder 14 Robert Goelet: Correspondence related to shipments
1928
Box 3, Folder 15 Mrs. Robert Goelet [Roberta Goelet]: Personal expenses from European sources
1928-1939

Miscellaneous, 1883-1928
0.042 Linear feet (7 folders)

The files in series 5, Miscellaneous, date from 1883 to 1928 and represent 0.042 linear feet. This series contains various correspondence, legal documents, and papers that do not fit into other series.

Digital reproductions of the materials in this series are available at http://digitalcommons.salve.edu/goelet-miscellaneous.

Container Description Date
Box 3, Folder 16 Legal documents: Goelet family settlements, trusts, mortgage, etc.
1899-1905, 1913
Box 3, Folder 17 Ogden Goelet: Correspondence with artist Charles Chaplin
1883
Box 3, Folder 18 Ogden Goelet: Correspondence with Pendletons regarding Cave Cliff
1890
Box 3, Folder 19 Ogden Goelet: Miscellaneous correspondence
1893-1897
Box 3, Folder 20 Robert Goelet: Miscellaneous correspondence
1928, undated
Box 3, Folder 21 Dog pedigrees
circa 1893
Box 3, Folder 22 Inventories of household and yacht items
1897