APPENDIX A
This letter is reproduced exactly as written, mistakes and all.

Letter from Theodate to Mckim, Mead & White

McKim, Mead and White

Farmington, Connecticut

Dear Sirs,

We are considering building a country house in this town and want plans to look at. It is my father who persuaded Mr. J. H. Whittemore of Naugatuck, Conn. to have his house planned by you and as a result all the other buildings he has since put up. (This is simply an aside, as an introduction.) Do you think you would better send some one up to see the site or can you work to good advantage after my description of the location which I will give you.

We are very accustomed to seeing plans and know at a glance if they have had much real thought spent on them. The location is a knoll with the land sloping away in a valley to the west which the house will face. The drive to the house is from the south. The house is to be frame - one very large living room very large dining room also a study and bedroom and little sitting room - the two last connected, then pantrys kitchen scullery and laundry all on ground floor. Do what you can for nice guest rooms up stairs besides servants rooms have two guest rooms with baths connecting also a general bath room and one connected with first floor bed room. Now the important thing to be born in mind is not to make a pretty looking drawing - that does not take with us at all - we want a beautifully planned house in thoroughly good style and self contained and dignified. Will you furnish plans according to this not an elevation at present and then furnish working plans and a man to oversee it but have it built by Hartford builders? And please - what time you have spent on this preliminary plan have the man spend in thought and not in lines with fancy lead coloring. We know all that.

Sincerely

Theodate Pope

McKim, Mead & White collection, New-York Historical Society