MARY ROCKWELL HOOK 1948 Correspondence

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: Biography
Series 05: Board of Trustees
Series 10: Built Environment
Mary Rockwell Hook Correspondence 1948

Far House – boy’s dormitory 1940s- 1915. [nace_1_005b.jpg]

TAGS: Mary Rockwell Hook Correspondence 1920, Mary Rockwell, Director Benjamin, West Wind, Far House, Open House, architectural repair, architects, Ethel de Long Zande, Luigi Zande, Berto Zande, fundraising, donations, Line Fork Settlement, Bertha Rockwell, Katherine Pettit, Marguerite Butler, Angela Melville, PMSS teaching methods, disposition of Medical Settlement at Big Laurel

MARY ROCKWELL HOOK 1948 Correspondence

001. January 5, 1947 [ actual 1948 ] Mary Rockwell Hook to H.R.S. Benjamin, Director
Sorry, I failed to get the enclosed check off for Xmas.
My Mother, – Mrs. Rockwell, died while we were in Florida on Dec. 8th. She loved it there and we had arranged for different members of the family to be with her.
Hundreds of letters and telegrams, and Xmas for our grandchildren, seem to have blocked correspondence.
All best wishes, Mrs. Rockwell Hook

002. January 20, 1948. H.R.S. Benjamin, Director to Mary Rockwell Hook
Thank you for your generous check for one hundred dollars. I needn’t tell you how useful it will be to us.
We were sorry indeed to hear of your mother’s death. She must have been a remarkable woman and one who must have had a vast store of rich memories.
Very sincerely, H.R.S. Benjamin

003. March 11, 1948. Mary Rockwell Hook to H.R.S. Benjamin, Director. Letter 3 pgs.
I am very deeply impressed by the poem [“How Beautiful Are the Feet of Youth Upon the Mountain,” – a selection from a long poem written by the seniors of 1944 and presented at their graduation] on the front page of the Feb. NOTES – [1948]. Some teacher has been doing a wonderful job of teaching. I don’t happen to know who it is. And, I am proud of the survey of graduates.
I am expecting to come to the Board Meeting. The date always happens to be upsetting to Mr. Hook’s one vacation of the year — and he will be in Florida a week before I arrive, and only stays two weeks.
I am hunting for someone to drive down with me to Florida, and in doing so, I am always
[p. 2]
embarrassed about bringing an extra person to Pine Mt. If the weather were such that I could use Open House, I wouldn’t worry. We are still shoveling snow here, and the driving on our hills is hazardous. Yours must be pretty bad.
If Open House still has no beds in it, will you buy two for me? I can bring down pillows, sheets, blankets+ pillow slips, if you think I can use the house.
My good Florida builder, Mr. Lawrence DeWalt, wants to get away for a change somewhere. You have no use for a contractor now, have you? He worked for me on cost, plus 10%. He is the most conscientious and interested builder I ever had, but he does like good lumber, and we don’t have it.
[p. 3]
The Board passed a motion that we should proceed with the metal farm building, I planned last year, but with new land to consider, I imagine other farm buildings could be involved, and perhaps you plan to move the whole farm.
In order to review the situation before the Board meets, I plan to arrive about Tues. March 30. I will let you know whether anyone is coming with me.
If there is not room, I will leave my passenger at the Llewellyn House [Hotel], Harlan.
Sincerely yours, Mary R. Hook

004. March 16, 1948. H.R.S Benjamin, Director to Mary Rockwell Hook.
Your letter of the 11th inst [?] has been read. I am happy that you are arriving on the 30th of the month. That should give us ample time to talk over several things and perhaps settle them in our own minds, at least, so that we can make a statement to the Board that will be acceptable.
I am working over a couple of projects at the moment. I am also collecting data re: certain types of metal buildings [for the Farm]. I have completed a survey of the Staff and their reactions for presentation to the Board.
Thank you for your compliment re the appearance of the last issue of the NOTES. It has been something of a problem to get them out this year, as Miss Motter [Margaret Motter] has not been on the grounds to do the work. Therefore, Miss Dorothy Nace has done the burden of the work with a suggestion or two from myself.
When you arrive, we can talk over a bit re your builder, Mr. DeWalt. At the moment, I am rather well satisfied with the man in charge of construction work here. He has had a wealth of experience.
Please feel free to bring along someone with you as your companion on the drive here. I fear Open House is out of the question, as weather is very late here. I have been in the building just this afternoon, and it is not attractive to me at present. We will certainly care for whoever comes along with you. We have an abundance of bedding, etc., Mrs. Benjamin tells me.
Sincerely yours,

05. March 22, 1948. Mary Rockwell Hook to HR.S. Benjamin, Director.
Mr. Hook is very anxious for me to cast my vote on March 30th before leaving — In that case, I will arrive Thursday morning. April 1st. — Sorry not to arrive sooner.
I will have to leave Sat. Aft. April 3rd. Mrs. McCune will be with me, but can stay in Harlan if necessary. You were very kind to say that you would take care of her also, but if you are overcrowded, she will understand.
I think I told you that her late husband was one of our well-known judges. She is an accomplished musician — offers her house here to many large musical affairs. She will be interested in our Mt. Music.
[p.2]
If it should turn warm, as it did here last week, I would like very much to use Open House and to have one of the Board meetings there, as we have often done in the past.
I know it is hard to get anyone to clean up the place and I would be glad to pay someone if anyone is available from the outside.
I have to apologize for bringing my dog, Tommy, along, but I have no one to leave him with while I am in Florida.
See you soon, Mary R. Hook

06. May 14, 1948. Mary Rockwell Hook to H.R.S. Benjamin, Director.

The enclosed check is for a prize for best car painter” and
best cooker!
I have been looking around, thinking I would buy something and mail it to you, but I believe your judgment will be better.
“The Joy of Cooking” is one of the best cookbooks.

I am sorry to put this extra burden on you as the time is close ?]
I hope you can get down to Florida if only for a short time. Be sure to get an answer from Mrs. Florence DeWalt, xxxxx, Sarasota, before starting, so you will be sure of a place to stay.
She will want to know also the probable length of time you will be there — in case she has any reservations.
You are to be my house guests if there is a vacant apt — and I hope you can go.
Sincerely yours, Mary R. Hook
*Mrs. De Walt’s telephone
is …Sarasota XXXXX
07. May 19, 1948. Mary Rockwell Hook to H.R.S. Benjamin, Director. (4 pages)
Several times in the past I have had a Pine Mt. girl or boy come to Kansas City for the summer.
I am sorry I did not think of asking you sooner about finding employment for one or more students or graduates here.
I could easily find work for —
* 1 person to run a nursery school for small children or act as sitters (could keep 2 or 3 busy as sitters)
* 2 persons for cooks (boy or girl)
* 1 for yard work
* 1 for painting or carpentry
* 1 for stenography

[p.2]
Probably the demand for labor is such that these boys and girls all have openings.
You might give this some thought.
I could house six at our house, until placed, and Mrs. Hill would house some w/ her house nearby, as she will be away. Mrs. McCune might put some away at her house.
If it were possible to form a class in folk dancing and singing, I think that could be arranged at the University of Kansas City (Mrs. Decker) or at the Sunset Hill School near us, where they run a six-week nursery school.
[p.3]
At our house we could employ one cook & one gardener and would like them immediately.
You would specify the salaries . I would pay bus fare to K.C. [Kansas City]. The return fare would depend upon whether they received salaries at K.C. prices or Pine Mt. prices.
I have been paying an excellent man, who did everything, $25.00 per week, plus room and board.
It would probably take two students to do what he did.
We would, of course, treat them like members of the family. We would include daily use of the swimming pool, etc. They have always enjoyed it here and [p.4] we try to live up to Pine Mt. standards!
Mr. Hook and I are the whole household at present.
This letter will reach you when you are too busy to read it. If too busy to write, send me a telephone — night letter, cable, etc.
Mary R. Hook

08. July 1, 1948. Mary Rockwell Hook to H.R.S. Benjamin, Director. Postcard.
As soon as I get home I will begin looking for new material for bathroom floors and walls.
Unless you have these already ordered. Please advise me if you have [already ordered].
I want to make a detailed report [to the Board] on building as Mr. Price had no clear idea what the committee voted the $10,000 for. Kindly send me cost of construction to date & advise me what is ordered ahead.
A steel firm in K.C. [Kansas City] is making a new type of insulated building . I want to send you data on something which might make us a gym. Home today. Thanks to your good wife.
and frm Mary R. Hook

09. July 08, 1948. H.R.S. Benjamin, Director to Mary Rockwell Hook. Statement of expenses.,
Dear Mrs. Hook,
Last Tuesday Mrs. [Mary] Rogers [ ?] returned to Philadelphia. I believe from what she told us that she enjoyed visit here very much. Certainly, we all enjoyed her. She gave us some valuable suggestions, and is prepared to give more should we request them. She had thought she would return on the 3rd but we advised against it due to the crowded conditions of the travel that she would very likely run into over the 4th, so she remained over the weekend and so had more time for leisurely study and comment.

West Wind is progressing nicely. Soon, we should have it completed except for minor details. Plumbing we cannot get in soon since materials are not to be secured, it appears. This will hold us up somewhat, but will not delay the opening of School. I am herewith giving a statement of present costsm which is incomplete due to fact that some of the materials are as yet not secured. Too, labor will call for more days, of course.
But this is costs to July 5th inclusive.

Labor ………………………………………$1,837.59
Electrical Equip ……………………….. 99.87
Hope Windows ……………………….. 330.00
Plumbing and heating ……………. 126.90
Lumber and nails ………………….. 4,198.06
Misc. ……………………………………. 129.67
Total …………….. $6,722.09

In a meeting of the Board of Trustees held the evening of Saturday, April 10th which neither you nor Mr. Price attended, the vote was taken that $10,000.00 would be allocated to cover major repairs of West Wind.

In the meeting of the Executive Committee held in Lexington on the 18th of June, I proposed, and it was approved, that any balance in the $10,000.00 for West Wind be allocated to minor repairs in Far House, using the salvaged material from West Wind, as well. I suspect it is this building that Mr. Price is not clear about in his mind, as you speak of it in your card.

For these buildings we have ordered, as yet, nothing ahead except the paint, the beds, mattresses (for West Wind new rooms), and plumbing supplies. The total sum set aside of $10,000.00 will be sufficient to cover all, I feel confident.

Thank you for any material you may secure that might assist us in covering the floors of Laurel House living quarters. These do need attention. Too, the gym idea interests me naturally.

I hope you found all well when you returned. I was sorry you could not find a companion from here to drive west with you.
Best regards,

01. July 22, 1948. H.R.S. Benjamin to Mary Rockwell Hook and Mrs. Ceo Rogers, Philadelphia, Pa.
[Director’s] discussion of plans [for Girl’s dorm -Westwind] drawn up by Mary Rogers [from plans of MRH] and turned into blueprints.]*Editor’s note.
Friends:
Yesterday we began work on minor repairs. Proposed for Far House. The plans which were worked out by Mrs. Rogers in pencil before we left and are to be sent to us in blueprint soon, are on the whole excellent. [LOCATE?] One or two situations have been run into, however, which I report on to show that two situations have been run into, which I report on to show that it is unwise to carry them out as we deem it.

1. The partition which was to be moved from the West wall of the living room, next to the fireplace, conceals at present the following: heat lines, wiring, and soil piping, drain pipe, also. Further, it is a bearing wall for the main wall of the building on the West, and just under the west porch. It can be moved only if we are prepared to risk a collapse of the second-floor eaves. It cannot by the use of pillars set into the middle of the living room, or in case it is moved in the east end of the playroom, meet the need. We, therefore, feel it wise to let the partition stand as it is.

2. This will call for a smaller playroom, but I do not see how we can avoid it at present.

3. It should also be pointed out that on the east end of the living room, the removal of the partition that carries the present French doors creates the same kind of problem. Here, we believe we can get around the difficulty by [using] two main bearing posts in the middle of the wall. In making openings above a built-in type of bookcases and then carry the proposed extension out onto the present cemented porch. Which is, as you recall, open. It should be noted that in order to avoid the expense of building a new footing for the [south ?] end of this extension, we should pull it in a foot to the present edge of the old cement porch wall. This will narrow the summer parlor very little, and will save costs and the danger of new footing on unsettled soil.

4. The proposal to turn the radiator in the corner of the present living room, from an east to north facing, is out of the question, since we cannot take out too much of the above supporting wall. This will remain where it is at present. Therefore, especially since we could not well move it across the supporting wall, which must remain to carry the main roof overhead.

Therefore the main points which, to date, have come up.. The findings point up my position, which is this: When minor or major repairs are made, it is often found inexpedient to make proposed alterations without endangering major bearings or installations. The West Wind attic Stairway is a case in point. As I pointed out at the time, to lengthen this and widened by the necessary 1 1/2 inch [??not legible] to make it the same as other treads are in the building meant outing across the main electric light installation focal point of the whole second floor as well as the newly built attic. For the gain achieved, this seemed expensive, so the choice was made. Such facts are not as they arise but are real problems. [signed] Yours Sincerely, H.R.S. Benjamin

02. August 23, 1948. [unsigned] H.R.S. Benjamin to Mary Rockwell Hook.
Mrs. Hook,
A telephone message this noon from Mr. Price. of Wheelright asks me to forward to you the copy, herewith, of the plans Mrs Rogers drew up for the Far House changes.
He suggests that the walls mark[ed], “A” and “B” are involved, that is those bounding the present living room. You will recall that on the 22nd of July I wrote to you concerning the same [A-B walls]. He went over them in the total building last Friday very carefully. He has doubtless made his recommendations.
The present question that he wishes settled, as I understand it, is the extension of the playroom on the north, a matter of six feet to compensate for the failure to remove the wall marked “A” to the line of the chimney in the living room, on the plane shown in red pencil.
My letter of July 22nd explains the problem that I ran into at the point of changing this particular wall [marked wall ?].
He also raises the question the moving [of] the wall marked “B” out onto the present cement terrace on the south. This is held at this time, from completion due to the time element before school begins, and second funds to cover the cost of adequately supporting the main line of the second floor timbers and the eaves above them. It can be done, but time and expense are factors; he did not wish at the time to face without more study.
A serious factor we ran into in the wall marked “A” was the fact that joists supporting the second-floor hall run north and south, while those in the living room supporting the sleeping room/ immediately above the living room, run east and west.
I am very sorry to trouble you so much about this item, but it is wise to settle it properly now, and your advice is sought.
A further problem concerns the type of route desired in the playroom when it is extended [by] the additional feet to the north, flat type with a slight sloop [slope ?] or a gable type, the latter fitting into the present predominant gable east and north side somewhat better, but admittedly more expensive, perhaps, to construct.
I believe that when Mr. Price returns from Chicago on Wednesday, he will be happy to hear from you. At least so he telephones me this morning.
Yours truly, [copy unsigned]

03. August 24, 1948. Mary Rockwell Hook to H.R.S. Benjamin.
[Note on side says “copy at once and fwd to Mr. Price.]
Mr Price said that he was going to telephone you and would ask you to send me a copy of the plan for Far House, which you and Mrs. Rogers worked out after I left. Also, a plan showing the changes which you thought [it] wise to make.
If I understood Mr. Price correctly, he is under the impression that the Rogers plan took in the whole of the Southeast terrace. I was much surprised at that because we had only contemplated making a large bay there, a flat roof and glass three sides in order to let the sunshine flow into that room. I still feel that consideration should be given to moving the boy’s out of Far House. I disapprove of building a rumpus room for boys onto a house that must soon be torn down. There must be a better reason than sentiment for not making this change. You didn’t offer me any other one, so I am not convinced. You, of course, have other reasons for an arrangement that was never a part of the physical plan of the school. [handwritten] even tho’ you may have found boys occupying Far House when you came.
Please send me your telephone number. The telephone will save you lots of gas and tires.
Another question. Have the Bakers [Linefork] gone to the School of the Ozarks at Hollister, near Branson? I go down there quite often and know the directors. I was once asked to go down and give them some architectural advice. You say that they have bought property there. Let me have their address, please.
If you send me plans, please have them to scale and put on three of measurements.
Sincerely yours, Mary Rockwell Hook

04. August 27, 1948. Mary Rockwell Hook [Kansas City] to H.R.S. Benjamin.
Will mail the Rogers plans back to you tomorrow. Hurrying to get this print off to you, one to Mr Price, and one to Mrs Rogers.
Probably you had these alterations nearly complete so the suggestions I make on the plans will be too late. And certain things are probably impossible.
From M.R.H.

05. September 2, 1948. H.R.S Benjamin [unsigned] to Mary Rockwell Hook [Kansas City] [NEEDS EDIT]
A reply to your letter of the 24th of August and to your short note included in the blueprint of the first floor of Far House has not been written. I have been waiting for a follow-up of the note.

Thank you indeed for the first floor plan. We have followed it out and the repairs made in all detail as indicated, with the exception of the two editions outside the main roof of the building, which are now under question. That is the sun porch on the South, and the playroom on the North. You will recall I went over the values of these with you when you and Mrs. Rogers were here. Rough sketches were drawn up. When you left, I understood that she was to complete them, and then we were to be guided by them in the interior changes. I wrote you and Mrs. Rogers my dilemma when I discovered on partially wrecking the walls affected, that it would be a real problem to change them, involving some structural changes that called for the expenditure of more money than I had earlier suggested to the board would be entailed. I sought advice and also suggested my desire for help. The total result has been a feeling on our parts that the question at stake might necessitate more discussion than was originally anticipated. Therefore, all construction has been stopped for 2 weeks. Only the interior as suggested above, is complete.
At present, I am hopeful that a decision can be arrived at early enough to enable us to make the changes desired by the Board so that the house mother and the 22 students resident in that building will not be forced to work through the whole year in a living room. They’re 15 feet by three feet by 6 by 18 feet without the benefit of a sunroom or of a playroom for exercise. As I gather it, the decision hangs on the future use to be made of Far House. The board has not considered that during my tenure. If there is some board policy regarding the matter, I have not been advised. Insofar as my staff is concerned. I would suggest that if such a decision is to be reached at some early or even late date it would be interesting, I suspect, in having a share in the discussion. So far as I’m concerned, “sentiment” does not enter into it since I have not been here long enough to have developed such, and further, I do not in my administrative functions, allow it to influence me greatly. I am simply desirous of providing boys and girls wherever they may [be] housed with wholesome, healthy, natural outlets for the energies which are theirs. Without great expense by simply enclosing the old rear porch on the north of Far House. This can be accomplished for the building. Without changing walls, etc., and with it being rather simple to restore for use of girls should they ever be moved to Far House, it has seemed wise to me and my Staff to carry out this change. Your further excellent suggestion of adding on the south side a sun porch to balance the loss suffered by the Housemothers conference room meets my approval.

[p.2] Meets my approval. If I might be allowed to so state. My only regret is that the financial limitations I originally proposed for the total changes in the Far House do not permit of this since, as I state above, some rather important bearing timbers will need to be added across the gap where the present French doors are placed. The combination of the two would make a wonderful setup for either girls or boys. In the event we agree that the playroom can be constructed, as well as the sunporch, then the type of room to add will enter in. On the south sunrun [?] as you state, a flat or slightly sloping roof is desirable. On the north, over the playroom, such might not be so attractive since the elevation there is higher, and since the north side of the building is already rather dominated by the Gable type I have thought, and so does Mr. Frank Hall, (Mr. Frank [“Unk”] Cheney is unconvinced) a rather flat type of gable could be fitted in. Still, it is possible by breaking back into the roof some distance to carry out a corresponding flat roof, which, from a distance, would harmonize fairly well with the flat over the sunporch.

I sincerely appreciate your interest and your generous desire to help us. I know that you are motivated by an artistic sense that I do not possess in nearly the same amount. You must supply me with that if you will continue to be your generous self, but will you not permit me at the same time to respond with practical issues which I face when I have to stand between the board and my staff of workers? My workers, as well as myself have ideas? I like to encourage them to have the same. I get better work from them. Pine Mountain is what it is today, with all the beauty it possesses, because Mary Hook has given of herself. So freely, too. Your mark is here permanently. Some of us come and go and have little opportunity to make the lasting impression you have made. I know I can count on your understanding of my devotion to this job when I sincerely tell you, I need your help. But, me, I believe you can use some of my background and experience, as well as my earnest desire to be of service to my Board, this settlement work, [and] these students in this community.
You had mentioned several projects you are interested in, such as [the] Open House, for example. These we can work out, I feel. I and you, I am sure of it, are aware of the same, am faced with trying to cover all the carrying on of this work, the maintenance of it, — by a constantly decreasing income. This is my nightmare, and can well be our Waterloo. Do not misunderstand me, then, when I may seem to be lacking in zeal in pressing one or the other of such projects at this time.
Our telephone number is Pine Mountain #1, Harlan exchange. It is, indeed, a blessing and does save time and expense.
The Bakers [LINEFORK SETTLEMENT] are at Hollister, Missouri, near Branson. He has taken a small Presbyterian mission church and bought a small farm on a peninsula immediately north of them, which just seems to jet out into the Lake of the Ozarks. I never received a satisfactory explanation of their leaving, except, “We want a home of our own before we get too old.”
Two more days we will receive the largest group of students that we have registered in my time here. Too, we have a fine Staff of Workers, only 3 changes this year from last year ‘s.
I must run over to the dance. I am alone in the office and so have been free to visit with you without the usual interruptions. Pardon the length.
Yours sincerely. [unsigned] H.R.S. Benjamin

GALLERY – 1948 Correspondence

SEE
MARY ROCKWELL HOOK(Biography)
MARY ROCKWELL HOOK Autobiography 1970 “This and That”

MARY ROCKWELL HOOK Guide to Correspondence

MARY ROCKWELL HOOK Album I
MARY ROCKWELL HOOK Photo Album II Part I

MARY ROCKWELL HOOK Correspondence 1940 Architectural Planning PMSS

MARY ROCKWELL HOOK Correspondence 1940 II Box 19: 2-85

NOTES – 2013, Spring, p. 11-12
NOTES – 2019, Winter, pp. 6-7