Series IV. Personal Files

This subseries consists of incoming letters to Cass Gilbert. The correspondence includes personal letters from family, friends, and colleagues relating to matters such as his insurance, the purchase and upkeep of his properties, automobile maintenance, and family finances. Many of the letters also document his donations to organizations such as anti-prohibition groups and patriotic organizations in World War I. Letters from his family include letters from his wife Julia Finch Gilbert, letters from his brother Samuel relating to Gilbert's insurance policies, and letters from his brother Charles related to property. Letters from other family members are included. Correspondence from colleagues includes letters from Edwin Blashfield, Alexander Calder, Daniel Chester French, F.H. Olmstead, Sir Aston Webb, etc. Some letters to Cass Gilbert from 1918-1919 relate to Cass Gilbert Jr.'s service in WWI. Incoming correspondence to other family members is also included. These include many sympathy letters to the Gilbert family after the death of Cass in 1934.

This subseries contains organizational materials documenting Gilbert's work with groups including the Carnegie Institute,the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation, and the Parks and Playgrounds Association. The subseries includes correspondence, minutes, and reports for the organizations.

The financial documents include bills and receipts as well as tax and estate papers of the Gilbert family.

This subseries contains invitations to events from friends and organizations. Included are invitations to the White House by Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover. A small amount of invitations by Cass Gilbert are also included.

This subseries consists of speeches given by Cass Gilbert, usually his acceptance speeches of awards and honors. It also includes poems and prefaces to books by Cass Gilbert and other unidentified writers.

The property information includes agreements, specifications, contractor information, and drawings for property owned by Cass Gilbert and the Gilbert family.

This subseries includes brochures saved by Cass Gilbert regarding water pumps, anti-prohibition organizations, and other groups.

The clippings include articles regarding politics and architecture. A folder of obituaries for Cass Gilbert is also included.

The small amount of personal photographs in this subseries consist of pictures of family, colleagues, and property.

This subseries includes drawings of architecture including the Parthenon and the Acropolis.

This subseries contains issues of publications regarding Gilbert's personal interests.

This subseries contains folders of personal materials that do not fit in with the above subseries. It includes passports of Cass Gilbert, papers regarding family genealogy, and his written memories of important events.

This subseries contains letterbooks of personal outgoing correspondence. Topics include expenses, residences, his work on World War I committees, etc. One book contains letters regarding Cass Gilbert, Jr's work with the American Society of the French Legion of Honor. Many of these volumes are fragile and access is dependent upon the judgment of the print room staff.