As Vizcaya was still under construction, James Deering was navigating deeply personal concerns. In this letter, he reveals mounting anxiety about delays in the project, driven not only by scheduling pressures but by his father’s declining health, which required his presence in Florida.
The correspondence offers a glimpse of Deering caught between two commitments: his responsibility to care for his family and his determination to complete Vizcaya as envisioned. How might Deering have experienced the emotional strain of maintaining close family ties while simultaneously managing the creation of a monumental and enduring legacy?
“MY FATHER’S HEALTH IS SUCH THAT I FEAR IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR ME TO GO TO FLORIDA WITH HIM”
James Deering’s father’s declining health paused his involvement with the estate’s progress.
Letter: September 26, 1913
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner
To: Francis Burrall Hoffman Jr., Vizcaya’s Architect
Reveal Transcript
Dear Mr. Hoffman:–
I sent you to-day the following letter: “Seems probable must go to Florida middle October account father’s health. I should regret greatly leaving without all questions settled as fear it may cost a Florida season which means a year. Cannot all open questions preventing starting of work be settled immediately. Better let Macdonald go forward with present work immediately.”
I have begun to get nervous as my telegram indicated with the fear that we are not getting started early enough to make it certain that I can have the completed house for occupancy in the winter after the two coming winters. You will remember that in Florida we cherished the hope that this could be accomplished for the winter coming next. Our various absences I suppose have made this impossible, but we ought to have plenty of margin the coming winter. My father’s health is such that I fear it will be necessary for me to go to Florida with him by or soon after the middle of October. I am, therefore, exceedingly, anxious that all quesions about the house should be settled before that time. If it is absolutely necessary I can come to New York between now and then expressly for that purpose. I should regret exceedingly to be obliged to go to New York from Florida for this purpose.
Yours truly,
[signed] James Deering.
Mr. F.B. Hoffman,
15 East Fortieth Street,
New York, N.Y.
Copy sent to Mr. Chalfin
