Los Luceros related correspondence, 1957-1958

File — binder: 147

Identifier: 6.1

Scope and Contents Note

From the Collection:

The Maria Chabot Papers contains materials collected by Maria Chabot. Included are personal records; diaries and travel diaries; extensive correspondence dating from 1933 to 2001 with colleagues, family, and friends; interviews with Chabot; photographs, slides, and negatives; notebooks, research notes, writings, brochures, photocopies, and other miscellaneous papers; as well as a small number of materials related to Chabot family history including family albums, histories, photographs and records. The bulk of the materials relate to Maria Chabot's research, writing, and literary work. There are more than 60 drafts or completed short stories, novels, and non-fiction materials that Chabot generated over the years, along with rejection letters she received from publishers; copies of the published articles on Indian arts and crafts that she wrote in the 1930s; and documents, notes, photographs, records and reports she generated when attending conferences, taking courses, and working on various projects. Chabot undertook significant projects in the 1930s and 1940s, including a photographic survey of Southwestern native and traditional arts and crafts with artist Dorothy N. Stewart; stewardship of the Los Luceros hacienda, deeded to her by museum founder Mary Cabot Wheelwright; and an unpublished book on her time as a companion of Georgia O'Keeffe at Ghost Ranch and the renovation of O'Keeffe's home in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The collection also contains books, newspaper and magazine clippings, art work, photographs, ephemera, and audiovisual materials of interest to Maria Chabot, which she collected over her lifetime.

Dates

Creation: 1957-1958

Creator

From the Collection: Chabot, Maria, 1913-2001 (Person)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

Materials predominantly in English.

Access Restrictions

Photographs subseries contains some fragile materials. May require handling by the Archivist.

Extent

From the Collection: 74.4 Linear Feet (62 Full Hollinger boxes (15.25" x 5" x 10.25"): 25.85 Linear feet. 71 Half Hollinger boxes (15.25" x 2.5" x 10.25"): 14.84 Linear feet. 8 11x14 boxes: 9.36 Linear feet. 8 9x12 boxes: 9 Linear feet. 6 16x20 boxes: 10.02 Linear feet. 1 20x24 boxes: 2 Linear feet. 8 5x12 boxes: 3.33 Linear feet. 164 total boxes.)

Additional Description

Overview

In 1957 there are nine letters, two cards, one with its envelope. There are five letters and two cards from Mary Cabot Wheelwright to Maria Chabot; three letters from MC to MCW; and one letter from MC to Josiah Wheelwright, March 9, 1957. In 1958 there are forty-seven letters, two with envelopes, and two cards. Within these are eight letters from MC to MCW and seven letters, two with envelopes, and two post cards from MCW to MC. Several letters have multiple copies. The letters in February and March concern staff changes at Los Luceros. MC resigns her responsibilities, but not her residence at Los Luceros, March 1, 1958. In a letter to OJC, March 12, 1958, MC explains her actions. There are two letters with copies from A. and L. Trujillo to MCW, Jan. 31, 1958 and Feb. 8, 1958, who are to assume care of Los Luceros. A letter from MC to Ebba Carter, Jan. 6, 1958, contains a financial history of Los Luceros, 1944-1953. Two letters from MC to Oliver Seth concern transfer of deeds, April 18, 1958 and May 8, 1958. A draft letter, Oct. 7, 1958, concerns MCW's estate. The letter of May 8, 1958 encloses copies of earlier letters and notes on a survey of MCW land. On July 28, 1958 MCW died on Sutton Island, Maine. She wrote a post card to MC on that day concerning Los Luceros staff and a list of tasks sent to the Trujillos. A copy of the list is with the post card. MC writes the Trujillos a letter, mis-dated "July 23, 1953", informing them of the death; they reply, Aug. 6, 1958. There are five letters from MC to J. Wheelwright. The letter of April 19, 1958 concerns the transition of management at Los Luceros; the letters thereafter concern MCW's estate. Four letters from JW to MC all concern MCW's estate. Two letters from members of the Christian Brothers, Oct. 30, 1958 and Nov. 7, 1958, and a response from MC, Oct. 25, 1958, concern purchase of Los Luceros. Three letters from Oliver LaFarge to MC and three from MC to LaFarge, from September to December 1958; a letter from MC to Kenneth Foster, Nov. 4, 1958; and a copy of a day letter, undated, from Alice Marriott to Kenneth Foster also concern this matter. A letter, Oct. 27, 1958 with two drafts, from MC to Bill Hunker, concerns appraisal of Los Luceros. There is a note by MC on Charles Collier's plans for Los Luceros, dated Nov. 8, 1958.